A plaque commemorating the lives of 15 people killed in a WWII explosion has been officially re-dedicated.

On April 16, 1941, an enemy landmine was dropped on the former site of the Creameries factory in Commonside East, Mitcham, killing 15 members of the "B" coy 57th Surrey (Mitcham) Home Guard and Tower Creameries.

Bill Bumstead, the twin brother of one of those injured in the explosion, was instrumental in getting a replica of the plaque which commemorated their lives reinstated at the site following its redevelopment by the Notting Hill Housing Trust this year.

Mr Bumstead, MP Siobhain McDonagh and students from Sherwood Park Primary school in Mitcham were at the ceremony held on Friday, December 14. 

The original plaque was erected in 1948 but taken away for safe keeping when the old Creameries building was demolished.

It is now sited at the Royal British Legion’s Mitcham headquarters in St Mark’s Road, Mitcham.

If you recognise any of the names on the plaque please call Melanie Nunzet on 07944 833605.

Frederick Percy Andrews
William Richard Aplin
Charles Albert Branch
James William Thomas Henson
Williams Jones
Joseph Stanley Kilbee
Charles James Labrum
Harold Francis Langbein
Aubrey Edgar Marriott
Frederick Albert Newstead
Frederick Thomas O’Brien
Walter Joseph Peacey
Richard Jon Sharman
George Stephen Taverner
Arthur Frederick White