Person    | Male  Born 27/3/1852  Died 8/2/1929

Jim Connell

Political activist. Born in Rathniska, near Kilskyre, County Meath. As a teenager he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood and signed the Fenian Oath. He moved to London in 1875 and worked on Keir Hardie's newspaper 'The Labour Leader'. He wrote several songs, and the socialist anthem 'The Red Flag' is his best known. He wrote the words for it on a train journey, supposedly being inspired by the train guard waving his flag on the platform. Died South London.

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has further researched James Connell and apart from his Wikipedia page, probate records confirm his address to have been 22a Stonden Park, Forest Hill, Kent and that he died, aged 76 years, on 8 February 1929 in Lewisham Hospital, Lewisham, Kent. He was cremated on 14 February 1929 at Golders Green Crematorium, 62 Hoop Lane, London, NW11 7NL, where his ashes were scattered in their Garden of Remembrance. Probate was granted on 13 August 1929 to Frederick Walshe, civil servant, and to Eric Blackwall, solicitor's clerk. His effects totalled £661-6s-8d.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Jim Connell

Commemorated ati

Jim Connell

Jim Connell, 1852 - 1929, Irish, socialist and author of 'The Red Flag' lived...

Read More

Other Subjects

Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul

Musical group. Founded by Jazzie B (Trevor Beresford Romeo). They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and US top five hit 'Back to Life (However Do you Want Me)'.

Group, Music / songs

1 memorial
Bag o' Nails Club

Bag o' Nails Club

Established in the 1930’s.  From their own website: A well-known basement music hangout of the 1930's.  Featured in Anthony Powell's novel 'A Dance to the Music of Time".  WW2 the club was used as ...

Place, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink, Music / songs

2 memorials
Sugar Minott

Sugar Minott

Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a reggae singer, producer and sound-system operator. Born and died Jamaica.

Person, Music / songs, Jamaica

1 memorial
Marie Goossens

Marie Goossens

Harpist.  Daughter of Eugene Goossens.

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial
Constant Lambert

Constant Lambert

Composer. Born and died in London. Brother of the sculptor Maurice Lambert.  Heavy drinker.  Co-founder of the Sadler's Wells Ballet  with Ninette de Valois and Frederick Ashton. Had an affair with...

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial