Londons Hidden Gem War Memorial to be Restored

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is renovating the First World War section of the Tower Hill Memorial, a hidden architectural gem at the heart of London.

One of London's hidden architectural gems is undergoing its largest ever restoration as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) seeks to preserve the memory of the thousands of civilian sailors and fisherman killed in the World Wars. The Tower Hill Memorial sits at the heart of the capital, opposite the world-famous Tower of London war memorial, and yet the stories of the men and women of the Merchant Navy remembered on its walls are often overlooked.

The CWGC is undertaking one of its largest UK restoration projects in decades to ensure the iconic First World War section of the memorial, which contains 12,000 names, lives on. The Grade I listed structure was designed by the eminent architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, whose best-known London landmark is the Cenotaph in Whitehall. While the Tower Hill Memorial may be lesser known, it’s central location and intricate design make it a hidden gem among the capital’s memorials.

The restoration project will include giving the roof of the memorial a new waterproof layer, re-bronzing of all the name panels and cleaning work to the exterior and interior. It will see modern materials at last make possible the waterproofing plan of the memorial's architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. At the time of building, the available materials meant his proposals ultimately failed and posed the dilemma of finding a solution without altering the overall design of a listed heritage asset.

The First World War section will remain cordoned off while work takes place and there may be some disruption to the sunken garden part of the Second World War extension. Information panels will give visitors a chance to learn more about those remembered on the memorial during construction. The whole area is due to reopen ahead of Remembrance Sunday this November. A roll of honour containing all the names of those remembered on both sections of the memorial will be on display at Trinity House, opposite, during opening hours and can be made available on request.

This year's Merchant Navy Day commemorations will still be able to take place as normal at the memorial on Sunday 8 September.