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Cyprus Street, Bethnal Green: Where 26 Men Left to Fight and Never Returned

The Cyprus Street memorial lists the names of 26 men who died in World War One. Each had been a resident of Cyprus Street in Bethnal Green. It is claimed the number of deaths represents the biggest loss of life on any one London street.

The original memorial was paid for by the Duke of Wellington鈥檚 Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors Benevolent Club. The name comes not from the Duke of Wellington鈥檚 Regiment but the Duke of Wellington pub which once stood on the street.

During redevelopment of Cyprus Street the memorial was broken into three pieces. Many years later they were rediscovered and a group of local residents took up the challenge of returning the memorial to its former glory.

The memorial continues to be looked after by the residents of Cyprus Street and a service of remembrance takes place here every November.

Location: Cyprus Street, London E2
Image: Unveiling of the memorial in 1919, courtesy of Dave Stanley

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