National memorial to John Cornwell VC, Boy (1st class) No. J42563, H.M.S. Chester. Died of wounds, Battle of Jutland, May 31 1916.
We first took a photograph of this plaque some time ago, before it was stolen in March 2011, but then replaced with an almost identical copy at an unknown date.
Site: Jack Cornwell V.C. - Hornchurch (1 memorial)
RM12, Station Lane, 114 - 124
The Romford Recorder provides: "East Ham mayor Robert Banks-Martin had led his borough in mourning when Jack was buried at Manor Park. In 1928, he organised a national memorial to the boy hero, six cottages for disabled ex-Royal Navy men. An architect by profession, Banks-Martin lived in Woodlands Avenue, Emerson Park. He probably designed the memorial, and chose its location .... The garden paths were arranged to form the letters VC."
The houses are now managed by the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust. As far as we know, Jack Cornwell himself had no connection with this area.
The plaque is on the left hand pillar.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk
