The centenary of the First World War was commemorated nationally between 2014 and 2019.

In Islington, between 1914 and 1918, many families lost a father, brother or other relative on the battlefield during the conflict, and life on the home front was a challenging and sometimes frightening experience.

The cost of the war against Germany and its allies was considerable. More than one million people lost their lives from Britain and its dominions and over 9,400 of these were linked in some way to Islington.

Islington Council is commemorating the First World War by remembering those who served on the front line, as well as exploring everyday life in the borough between 1914 and 1919, in an ongoing programme of events, projects and installations.

The Streets They Left Behind: Finsbury and Islington 1914-19

‘The Streets They Left Behind: Finsbury and Islington 1914-19’ (STLB) was a project undertaken by Islington Heritage Service, and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, in 2014. Plaques have been installed on many Islington streets to remember all those who died from each respective street. An accompanying online STLB map can also be viewed.

While every attempt was made to install WW1 plaques throughout the borough, it has not been possible to cover every location due to streets no longer existing or being covered by modern housing estates, road reconfigurations and other logistical difficulties. However, all Finsbury and Islington servicemen and women who gave their lives during the conflict are remembered in the Islington Online Book of Remembrance.

View the ‘The Streets They Left Behind: Finsbury and Islington 1914-19’ map

Islington Online Book of Remembrance

This Islington Online Book of Remembrance commemorates over 13,000 men, women and children of Islington who died as a result of war here and abroad. Records run from 1899, the beginning of the Boer War, to the 1950s. We have provided some biographical information so that more may be learned about them, such as with whom they served, where they lived in the borough and where they died. Over 9,000 entries relate to the First World War.

We have used many primary sources to compile the Book of Remembrance (BOR) but it is possible that you have more information, or photographs perhaps, that we could add. If so, please contact the BOR team at Islington Local History Centre. Also, if you wish to leave a tribute, click on the link below, enter the name of the person you wish to remember and locate the tribute link on the left side of the entry.

View the Islington Online Book of Remembrance

Sites, projects and resources relating to Islington during the First World War

Articles

Islington’s Victoria Cross recipients

Royal Agricultural Hall (now Business Design Centre), Upper Street, during the First World War

Finsbury Rifles

Finsbury Rifles: ‘Away from the Western Front – from Islington to Egypt, Palestine and Syria’

Finsbury Rifles: Our local regiment

Islington and St Pancras Cemetery First World Ward Grave Walks

Islington and St Pancras Cemetery: First World War Grave Walk 1

Islington and St Pancras Cemetery: First World War Grave Walk 2

Islington and St Pancras Cemetery: First World War Grave Walk 3

Islington and St Pancras Cemetery: First World War Grave Walk 4

Islington and St Pancras Cemetery: Frist World War Grave Walk 5

Resources

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Commemorating the fallen

First World War resources at Islington Local History Centre

Islington during the First World War online display