Perhaps more than any other nation, Great Britain has relied on mastery of the oceans for her greatness. From the days of empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, to the days of fighting for survival during the brutal conflicts of the 20th century, the sailors of the British Isles left the ports of England determined to serve their country. Hundreds of thousands of these souls would never return to their homeland.
The Tower Hill Memorial is located across the street from two of London’s iconic sites – the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. Separated into two parts, the memorial commemorates the men and women of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who gave their lives during WWI and WWII protecting their nation and who have no grave but the sea.
The WWI Memorial is a vaulted corridor listing the names of thousands of ships arranged alphabetically. The names of the lost are listed below the name of each vessel. The ship’s master is listed first, with the remainig dead of each ship listed alphabetically below the Master. No rate or ranking other than the Master is indicated. 11,919 names are listed in this corridor.
The WWII Memorial is in the form of a sunken garden, the walls containing the names of nearly 24,000 souls lost at sea. Teak benches allow visitors to sit and contemplate their surroundings. In the center of the garden is a ‘pool’ of bronze, engraved as a mariner’s compass set to magnetic north.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of this memorial is when one considers the scope of the sacrifice it represents. During WWI and WWII the British lost over 8,000 merchant ships alone. This staggering figure does not include fishing or military vessels. 49,000 British merchant seamen lost their lives in the two world wars – over 50% of those lost at sea. Each name on these walls represent a story, a life too short, a loved one missed. When I visited the memorial I greatly appreciated the decision to list the names without rate or rank. These sailors who rest in sea-locked graves are all equal in the hearts of a grateful nation…
Mike Golch said:
thanks for sharing this.
Carol Smith said:
A beautiful tribute of a monumental loss to a grieving nation, I suspect if I were privileged to visit this memorial and read these names, I would find kinsmen of mine who I never knew, but still revere.
Liz Giannone said:
Lovely for my Grandad to be remembered here.
Carmel Young said:
I have just discovered that my grandfather Francis McCormack is on this memorial having been lost at sea on 10th June 1917. Many thanks
Dyson said:
The Tower Hill Memorial commemorates men and women of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who died in both World Wars and who have no known grave. It stands on the south side of the garden of Trinity Square, London, close to The Tower of London.
Sheila Knope said:
I live in the USA but my grandfather was lost in WW1 and I know that his name is on the Tower Hill Memorial, I would love to be able to see the name.
William Mansell
Malcolm MacPherson said:
My grandfather (John Mulligan) served on the Empire Sun which was sunk on the 7 February 1942 by torpedoes fired by German submarine U-751. R.I.P
Adie Meehan said:
On recent trip to London. Visiting Tower of London came across The Mercantile Marine Memorial at Tower Hill, by accident .First family member to visit my grandfather Donald Campbell’s brother’s memorial , Alexander Campbell, of Tiree, Scotland died on SS.Garmoyle July 1917 ship sunk by torpedo. Survived initial explosion and made it to lifeboat. Returned to stricken boat to retrieve watch given to him by his father for his 21st several weeks before.Boat overturned killing him.Another tragedy of war.Remembered by all the family.
Olive Thomson said:
My friends late father lost his life on the SS Sauternes 1941 off the Faroes Isles.He is buried in Klaksvik cemetery. The crew are on a memorial here.
susan sylke said:
My great uncle O Mcglone aged 28 is listed on the memorial it was lovely to see his name