Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice

The Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice is a commemorative site displaying ceramic plaques with names and stories of people who died saving others. The plaques are mounted on walls within a covered loggia structure and provide detailed accounts of each person's heroic act.

The project was initiated in 1887 by artist George Frederic Watts to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Construction began in 1898 under architect Ernest George's design, and the first plaques were added soon after.

The plaques tell stories of ordinary people who performed extraordinary acts of rescue. Visitors can read actual accounts of heroism that took place over many generations.

The memorial is located in Postman's Park and remains accessible throughout the day for visitors to explore freely. It is best to walk slowly along the covered structure to read and absorb the different accounts displayed on each plaque.

For nearly eight decades, no new plaques were added until 2009 when Leigh Pitt's name was inscribed after he died saving a child from drowning. This addition showed that the tradition of recording such heroism continued into modern times.

Location: City of London

Inception: 1899

Architects: Ernest George

Creator: George Frederic Watts

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

GPS coordinates: 51.51688,-0.09788

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:22