“A vibrant sports bar” they said. That’s what The Alfred Herring is now. But its story is far richer than neon signs and televised games. Right here on Green Lanes in Palmers Green stands a pub named after a true hero. The Alfred Herring. A Wetherspoon’s for many years this building held a different atmosphere. It once showcased the life of Alfred Cecil Herring. This brave soldier received the Victoria Cross for his incredible bravery in France during the First World War.
In 1918 during the ferocious “Kaiser’s Battle” Second Lieutenant Herring showed unparalleled courage. His battalion was surrounded near the Crozat Canal. Herring launched a daring counterattack. He single-handedly recaptured a vital position. Twenty prisoners and six machine guns fell into his hands. He held the line for eleven crucial hours. His actions prevented a catastrophic enemy advance.
The story doesn’t end there. Captured soon after his heroic stand Herring was held prisoner in Germany. Incredibly he even met Kaiser Wilhelm II and General Erich Ludendorff. Imagine that. He learned of his Victoria Cross award while imprisoned. He was later repatriated and received his medal from the King. His life continued in a less dramatic yet impressive manner. He became a successful stockbroker.
The pub itself stands on the site of the former Lodge estate. This grand estate once boasted a magnificent mansion and a picturesque park. The Lodge itself was demolished in 1911. This pub replaced a furniture store that occupied the premises for four decades. The building you see before you is a piece of local history. It was a Wetherspoons pub before its latest transformation.
The Alfred Herring’s name serves as a poignant reminder. It’s a tribute to a local hero’s extraordinary service and sacrifice. So raise a glass. Not just to the exciting new sports bar but to the legacy of Alfred Herring VC. A local hero whose memory lives on. The Alfred Herring. A pub with a story to tell. And many more stories yet to unfold within its walls.