The City is both London’s oldest real-estate and its newest, with ultramodern skyscrapers towering above Roman ruins (Roman London) alongside every era in between.
A quiet little pocket of Victoriana can be found in Postman’s Park, where its “Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice” dates back to 1900, honoring ordinary people who died while saving the lives of others.
There are over 50 hand-painted ceramic tiles, each one carrying a date and brief description of the heroic act. Most of the plaques commemorate 19th century events, but there are a few more modern entries.
“Solomon Galaman. Aged 11. Died of injuries. Sept 6 1901 after saving his little brother from being run over in Commercial Street. “Mother I saved him but I could not save myself.”
“Mary Rogers. Stewardess of the Stella. Mar. 30. 1899. Self sacrificed by giving up her life belt and voluntarily going down in the sinking ship”
“Frederick Alfred Croft. Inspector. Aged 31. Saved a lunatic woman from suicide at Woolwich Arsenal Station, but was himself run over by the train. Jan 11 1878”
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