13th Battalion, London Regiment (Kensington's)

[MickH]

I was just wondering if anybody knew if the Great War Memorial to the 13th London Regiment still exists? It was originally in their HQ at Kensington but I have found a website reference to the fact that it is now in Kensington Central Library. However a visit to that library proved fruitless.

 

[charlie962]

This? 

https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/kensington-war-memorial

 

 

Monument

Kensington War Memorial

Erection date: 1/7/1922

 

Inscription

{On the banner above the draped figure:}

Awake remembrance of the valiant dead. {Henry V: 1.2.115–16}

 

{Below the former Metropolitan Borough of Kensington coat of arms:}

Quid Nobis Ardui {Latin approximately translates as 'nothing is too hard for us'}

 

{On left of plinth:}

XXIInd Kensington Service Battalion The Royal Fusiliers City of London Regiment battle record Vimy Ridge Delville Wood & Guillemont The Somme 1916 Beaumont Hamel & Serre The Ancre Grevillers Miraumont Oppy Wood Bourlon Wood Cambrai.

 

{On front of plinth:}

In memory of the men of Kensington and those men serving in Kensington battalions who gave their lives for king and country in the Great War 1914-1918.

1939-1945.

 

{On right of plinth}

XIIIth Princess Louise's Kensington Battalion the London Regiment battle record 13th Bn Neuve Chapelle Auvers Ridge The Somme 1916 The Scarpe Langemarck The Somme 1918 Albert 2/13th Vimy Ridge Salonika Beersheba Jerusalem Jericho.

 

The monument was designed by Hubert C. Corlette and the figure sculpted by Frederick W. Pomeroy. Unveiled by Princess Louise at Kensington Barracks. Moved here when the barracks were demolished in 1972 (replaced by Lancer Square).

 

Site: Kensington war memorial (2 memorials)

W8, KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET, ST MARY ABBOTS CHURCH

Edited 7 July , 2023 by charlie962

[MickH]

Thanks for that but actually no, the one I'm trying to locate is as per photo.

[travers61]

Hope this helps.

The ever excellent Stepping Forward website on London Volunteer Units has the memorials location as Kensington Town Hall. 

https://www.steppingforwardlondon.org/known-location-of-remaining-london-troops-memorial-plaques-2014.html

 

Hopefully this is the modern town hall opened in the 1970's in Hornton Street, rather than the previous one demolished 1977-1984. I've not had much luck recently emailing town halls so a quick phone call to them before you trek across London may be in order.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Town_Hall,_London

 

The Kensington's original drill hall in Iverna Gardens which they did not return to after WW2, is still home to a volunteer unit, B Detachment 256 (City of London) Field Hospital.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/256_(City_of_London)_Field_Hospital

https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/army-medical-services/256-field-hospital/

Travers

Edited 7 July , 2023 by travers61

[MickH]

Yes indeed the memorial is in Kensington Town Hall, in the "Small Hall". It was all locked up when I got there but the staff were very helpful and managed to get some photos.

[Andrew Upton]

For the non-Australian members :

[charlie962]

Thanks for update