Tragic Pair shot by police

The impressive tomb of two working men shot during a protest.

Location: 3 Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith

Description: This grade II listed tomb in St Paul's Churchyard in Hammersmith is home to two working class men who were shot during a protest in 1841.

Carpenter Richard Honey and bricklayer George Frances were shot dead in 1821 during the funeral procession of Queen Caroline of Brunswick. The removal of her body from Hammersmith to Germany prompted a major demonstration against King George IV. The King gave orders that the funeral cortege was not to pass through the City where it would gather popular public support, and the public were unhappy with that. As the cortege reached Hyde Park Corner scuffles ensued and an escort of the Life Guards opened fire killing these two protesters.

The headstone was erected by the mens' trades and ends 'Victims like these have fallen in every age / Stretch of pow'r or party's cruel rage / Until even handed justice comes at last / To amend the future and avenge the past'.

Themes: Grave Grave Theme