War Memorial of 22nd Battalion

Amidst the bustling cityscape of Bermondsey, the War Memorial of 22nd Battalion stands as a poignant reminder of sacrifice. The War Memorial of 22nd Battalion remembers the soldiers of the 22nd Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen’s), who perished in the Great War. Erected around 1921 near the old Drill Hall, the memorial originally stood adjacent to the drill yard. Over 800 names are etched onto the Portland stone. The memorial silently whispers the stories of these men. Their names, forever inscribed, tell of lives cut short. After the Second World War, a bronze plaque was added. This plaque commemorates the 6th (Bermondsey) Battalion of the Queen’s Royal Regiment who fell during World War II. Their names, however, are recorded in a Book of Remembrance. This book is housed within the Bermondsey Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene. It rests alongside the Colours of the 22nd Battalion. In 1953, the Drill Hall underwent an extension. The War Memorial of 22nd Battalion was incorporated into the new building’s exterior wall. Years later, in 1993, the memorial underwent restoration. The elements had taken their toll. A stonemason carefully re-carved the weathered inscriptions, ensuring their legibility for future generations. At the base of the memorial, two stone flower boxes stand sentinel. They bear plaques dedicated to two distinguished officers: Colonel J G Bevington and Colonel C H Nice. The War Memorial of 22nd Battalion stands not only as a testament to loss. It also serves as a beacon of remembrance and respect in the heart of Bermondsey.