{On the base of the display cabinet:}
1914 – 1918 The Great War
1939 – 1945 The World War
{Two panels either side of the cabinet carry lists of battles in WW2. Two outer panels carry lists of battles in WW1, below wall lamps with pendant gilded wreaths.}
This memorial was first erected in the Paddington Town Hall. That was probably in the 1920s and it would have been modified after WW2 to commemorate that war as well.
(WMO) has 2 photos of this substantial memorial at the town hall (but see the last para. below), one being shown here. It consists of inscribed and decorated floor-to-ceiling panelling, an ornate display cabinet and books of remembrance. The whole appears to be about 6m long by 4m high. WMO also has photos of some pages from the 3 books of remembrance.
When the town hall was demolished there was concern about saving this large memorial. Matt Brown of sent us a newspaper clipping dated 8 July 1966: “The Paddington War Memorial, which was erected in the now-demolished Paddington Town Hall, is expected to be installed soon in {near Lancaster Gate}. 'A recent decision of the church council has brought very much nearer the installation in our church of the Paddington War Memorial,' says the Rev. Preb. George Chappell, vicar of St James’s. 'The scheme, which entails no structural interference and will greatly improve the beauty and usefulness of the chapel, is being considered by the Diocesan Advisory Committee and will be made public as soon as possible.' The memorial is in store following its removal from the old town hall.”
WMO says "It was moved to the Memorial Chapel in St James Church when Paddington Town Hall was demolished in 1965" but then came "modifications to restore the original design of the Memorial Chapel" which meant the war memorial had to go. From WMO: "War Memorials Trust attempted to help St James' Church find a new home for the panelling in 2002, but unfortunately owing to the size of the memorial this was not possible. The panelling was removed from the church in 2006 and the books held in storage at Westminster City Archive. As a result the war memorial now consists of the Books of Remembrance."
If anyone knows where the panelling is now - please let us know.
We believe this photo shows the memorial at the town hall and was probably taken as a visual record before the memorial was removed and the building demolished in 1965. However WMO has the photo dated 2017, which we think must be the date it was uploaded.
Site: Paddington Town Hall (2 memorials)
W2, Hermitage Street, Paddington Exchange
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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