The city is populated by statues to Victorian grandees commemorating their heroic acts, but what about the often untold stories of everyday Londoners and their acts of fatal bravery?
In the heart of the old city, in Postman’s Park lies the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, conceived by artist George Frederic Watts in 1887 as a tribute to ordinary individuals who died saving others. Among the 53 commemorated, nine are women—a strikingly high proportion for the time. Historian Dr John Price will delve into the lives of two of these women, exploring their extraordinary acts of courage and the circumstances that led to their inclusion in Watt's unique memorial.
In June 1912, Albert Roy Luxton, a 34-year-old bus driver, realised the brakes on his motorbus had failed while descending Highgate Hill. Responding to the danger, he steered the bus away from a crowd, crashing into a wall and died from his injuries a week later. His funeral procession was attended by hundreds. Folklorist Alessandra Curtis will recount Luxton’s life and heroism, exploring how his story was commemorated and the impact of his actions on the community. She explains how she used historical newspaper articles to reconstruct his life and events, and even managed to find his grave.
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Dr John Price is a historian and author with a focus on social history and commemorative practices. He is Chair of the Friends of the Watts Memorial of Heroic Self-Sacrifice and has written extensively on it and its significance in reflecting societal values.
Alessandra Curtis is a British-Italian folklorist and writer with a foundation in archaeology. Her research primarily explores local legends, as well as material culture associated with themes of separation, absence, and death.
