Photo: Proposed Bethnal Green Memorial The Stairway To Heaven Memorial Trust
The worst civilian disaster of World War Two was remembered this weekend in Bethnal Green.
The 67th anniversary of the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster was marked in memory of the 173 that lost their lives in a panic on the stairs of Bethnal Green underground station on March 3, 1943.
The Tube station was being used as a shelter to protect civilians from German bombs but the panic that set created the accident was the result of friendly fire when the British army tested their guns in Victoria Park.
Amongst the people attending the service were the few remaining survivors and those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy.
Derek Spicer of the ‘Stairway To Heaven Memorial Trust’ said: “The service is even more important this year than ever. Some of the local community weren’t even aware of it”.
The ‘Stairway to Heaven Memorial Trust’ was set up to raise more than £600,000 to erect a statue to commemorate the lives of those who were crushed. If the Trust receives enough support, it will be placed above the underground entrance, displaying the names of those who were lost.
At the moment, all that marks the fatalities of 1943 is a plaque at the station staircase.
So far, the charity has raised £200,000 and representatives from the Trust will be collecting at Bethnal Green tube station this Friday.
Alternatively, if you would like to donate, please visit http://www.stairwaytoheavenmemorial.org/
Can anyone offer any advice on tracing my relatives that were killed in the disaster. My grandfather lost a sister and a niece, although I do not know their proper names – only that their nicknames were Tootles and Beebee. They were both between the age of 18 and 25. My grandfather’s surname was Schonert but due to its German origin I think they must have changed their surname during the war. The eldest had recently been married 6 months previously. Is there public access to a register of those who passed?
I think a memorial is a great idea to remember this tragedy. However the proposed design is a monstrocity, please come up with something more beautiful, DONT BUILD THIS EYESORE!!
Hi Maxine Please check out my web site – which includes a list of war memorials in bethnal green plus an index of those killed in the tube disaster it includes ages etc
Hello Maxine, If you would like leave a message for me, I think I have some details about your family.