Thames Well Wishing Memorial – the first of its kind
Thames Well Wishing Memorial
A specially designed Thames Memorial plaque is on display in the All Hallows by the Tower Church. It’s there for anyone to mourn who have lost loved ones in the river.
The Plaque placed there after a mother lost her son to the river. She campaigned for a location along the river where families could go and mourn their loved ones.
Church agreed to have the plaque and held a service for the unveiling. It was attended by families, friends, the RNLI and the Thames marine police.
Thames Well Wishing Memorial
Thames Well Wishing Memorial
It’s the first of its kind and inspired by a mother of a victim. The All Hallows Church by the Tower unveiled the Thames Memorial designed and created for those who have lost their lives in the River Thames. ynuk.tv was at the ceremony
Thames Well Wishing Memorial Fund an idea comes together
Thames Well Wishing Memorial Fund
It is estimated the River Thames claims lives of 50 people a year through suicide, accidents or crime. The data comes from private research carried out by former River Police officer, Robert Jeffries. He also found that people who lost someone close to them have nowhere to go on the Thames to mourn.
Remembering who died
Now this is to change. Design award winner and inventor Clare Newton also took up the challenge. Clare designed a plaque especially for embankment on the River Thames and grieving families. The monument provides a focal point for anyone to visit and remember or commemorate a lost life dear to them.
Memorial launch
To raise funds the project launched crowd funding and donations made by members of the public. The good news. All Hallows Church located at the Tower of London will place the memorial inside. A special service on Tuesday June 25th at 3pm officially launches the plaque.
A memorial is forever.
To contact Clare Newton go: happylondon.wixsite.com
email: HappyLondon@gmx.co.uk
Thames Well Wishing Memorial – Mother mourns loss
On Christmas Eve 2008 there was a knock on the door at Val Hills home. It was the police. They told her they had found her son Daniel Paul in the Thames. He was 30 years old. Val created her own memorial for Daniel on the embankment. She also welcomes the Thames Well Wishing Memorial because it will help her and other families become closer to the ones they’ve lost.
In the video Val shares memories of son Daniel.
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Thames Well Wishing Memorial – Daniel Paul Hills a victim
Thames Well Wishing Memorial – a mothers story
In 2008 Val Hills and husband Paul at home when they got the news.
The couple are from Brentwood. They were worried about 30-year-old son Daniel Paul who hadn’t made contact for more than a week. While he had an independent life Daniel had mental problems and at times experienced trouble handling it and needed to stay in touch with the family.
The Story:
On Christmas Eve, there was a knock on the door. It was the police. They had a message for Daniels parents. Val felt it was not good news and shattered when told Daniel’s body was found in the River Thames.
Thames River Memorial
Val Hills welcomes the Thames Well Wishing Memorial. It was an idea germinated by Val after she met other families who also lost loved ones to the River Thames. She got to know Rob Jeffries, former police officer with the River Thames Police who snapped up the idea and began the process to make it happen.
Val shared her story with us at ynuk.tv
Thames Well Wishing Memorial – Police Cases babies thrown into river
The Thames River Police were the World’s first organised police force.
Since 1798 the Marine Police protected life and property and prevented crime on the Thames.
Former river beat officer, Robert Jeffries welcomes the Thames Well Wishing Memorial dedicated to those who died in the river. His background as a policeman and experience with the raw side of the Thames led him to meet members of families who lost loved ones to the river. It was either through suicide, accidents or crime.
Robert is Honorary Curator of the Thames River Police Museum located at Wapping Police Station. He spoke about fascinating and emotional stories. Some cases he dealt with during his career in the force. Rob also offered a unique insight into the history of deaths and how smart phones are now saviours of the Thames.
Mother
Val Hills, a victims mother contacted Robert which resulted in a plan to build a monument on or near the Thames. The ideal place to remember or mourn those who died in the water.
Thames Well Wishing Memorial
View Robert Jeffries in the Thames Well Wishing Memorial Fund video above.
Thames Well Wishing Memorial – Police Museum the Stories
Supporters of the Thames Memorial Fund were rewarded for their donations with a visit to the Thames Police Museum in Wapping .
The guests heard about the background and history of the River Police, the world’s first Police Force. It was an occasion contributed to the idea of a Monument for families who lost loved ones to the River Thames.
Former River police officer and curator of the Police Museum, Rob Jefferies, presented the event.
Disaster
Among the stories the visitors heard: the sinking of the Princess Alice in 1878. It was struck by a tanker by the Bywell Castle. More than 600 people died in the disaster. Many through the polluted water after sewerage had been drained into the river where the ship sank.
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Thames Well Wishing Memorial – an initiative by:
Clare Newton designer of the Monument, Rob Jefferies and Val Hills a mother whose son perished in the Thames in 2008.
Rob, Clare and Val’s initiative helped to create and build a monument where families can go and mourn for loved ones.
To contact Clare Newton go: happylondon.wixsite.com
email: HappyLondon@gmx.co.uk
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