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164 years before the opened in 1976, there was the London Museum aka ‘The Egyptian Hall’. The exhibition building opene...
08/06/2025

164 years before the opened in 1976, there was the London Museum aka ‘The Egyptian Hall’. The exhibition building opened with a collection of 15,000 curiosities, antiques and fine arts, belonging to a Mr William Bullock with many contributions from the expeditions of Captain Cook. One of Bullock’s most successful collections was of Napoleon relics including the emperor’s luxurious bulletproof carriage captured during the Battle of Waterloo (seen above). Captured at Waterloo the carriage was eventually bought by Madame Tussaud’s where it was sadly destroyed in their huge fire of 1925.
In 1905 the building was demolished to make room for blocks of flats and offices at 170–173 Piccadilly, known still as Egyptian House.

The story of Prince Victor Albert Jay Duleep Singh caught my eye at today.Born 1866 in London, the eldest son of Mahara...
25/05/2025

The story of Prince Victor Albert Jay Duleep Singh caught my eye at today.

Born 1866 in London, the eldest son of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Maharani Bamba, he pursued his education at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge.

At that time, laws prevented children of Indian descent from joining the army due to their parentage. However, his godmother, Queen Victoria, made an exception, allowing her godson to enroll in the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 1887.

He served in various roles within the Army until he left the Royal Dragoons in 1898 to marry Lady Anne Blanche Alice, the sister of his friend George, whom he had first met during his studies at Cambridge. The couple celebrated their union with an extravagant ceremony at St. Peter’s, Eaton Square.

During the First World War, he was instructed to remain in Paris, where he stayed until the conflict concluded. Unfortunately, he fell back into old gambling habits and was often seen in the renowned gambling hub of Monte Carlo, where he eventually passed away.

He was laid to rest at the Anglican Cemetery situated high on the hillside above Monte Carlo, and a special service was held at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, as well as at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge.

In the late 1930s, East London experienced a wave of rent strikes as tenants rallied against escalating rents and inadeq...
18/05/2025

In the late 1930s, East London experienced a wave of rent strikes as tenants rallied against escalating rents and inadequate living conditions. Spearheaded by community organisations such as the Poplar Tenants’ Defence League, these protests sought to compel landlords to lower rents and enhance housing quality.

Tenants participated in these strikes by withholding rent payments, staging demonstrations, and actively resisting eviction attempts.

The strikes led to some concessions from landlords, including rent reductions, improvements to living conditions, and commitments to repairs.

A Royal Guard marching outside Buckingham Palace during the Changing of the Guard circa 1955.
18/05/2025

A Royal Guard marching outside Buckingham Palace during the Changing of the Guard circa 1955.

As we honour VE Day and reflect on the end of World War II in Europe, we pay tribute to those who fought, those who stoo...
08/05/2025

As we honour VE Day and reflect on the end of World War II in Europe, we pay tribute to those who fought, those who stood in support, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle to defeat the Axis Powers.

The photograph above features Kacos Kyriakides (left), my paternal grandfather, born around 1900 in Cyprus. He was the son of a teacher and grandson of a hotelier and education philanthropist in Limassol (centre).

By his early twenties, he had journeyed to London, where he studied law and passed the bar. By the age of 30, he had joined the Diplomatic Service, serving as Private Secretary to the Greek Ambassador in London and frequently traveling between Britain, Greece, and Egypt. His career, international connections, and ties to London’s elite positioned him well to become part of the Special Operations Executive (SOE)—also known as the Baker Street Irregulars or Churchill’s Secret Army.

During World War II, the SOE carried out covert operations in Greece, including intelligence gathering, sabotage, and aiding the Greek Resistance.

In the 1960s, he lived next door to Winston Churchill at Hyde Park Gate, London, until Churchill’s passing in January 1965, followed by Kacos five years later.

80 years ago today, the streets of London were filled with revellers as Brits celebrated Victory in Europe Dat after the...
08/05/2025

80 years ago today, the streets of London were filled with revellers as Brits celebrated Victory in Europe Dat after the surrender of the Germans days earlier. 🇬🇧

As I stroll through the eerily quiet East End on this Bank Holiday Monday, I can’t help but imagine the immense relief a...
05/05/2025

As I stroll through the eerily quiet East End on this Bank Holiday Monday, I can’t help but imagine the immense relief and joy that would have filled this community 80 years ago, following the German surrender and on the eve of the official VE Day celebrations on May 8th.

During World War II, East London faced relentless bombings due to its vital docks and industries. The Blitz wreaked havoc in areas like Bethnal Green, where 80 tons of bombs were dropped, resulting in the loss of over 2,000 lives in Tower Hamlets. Yet, amidst the devastation, the community’s resilience shone brightly, with many finding refuge in tube stations and makeshift bunkers.The spirit of East Londoners during these challenging times stands as a powerful testament to their strength and unity.

Many of us have strolled past this striking figure while making our way down Westminster Bridge towards the Southbank. B...
04/05/2025

Many of us have strolled past this striking figure while making our way down Westminster Bridge towards the Southbank. But what’s his story?

The ‘Southbank Lion’ was created in 1837, but he hasn’t always occupied this spot. Initially, he was positioned further along the Thames, gracing the old Lion Brewery, which ceased operations in 1924 and was demolished to make way for the Royal Festival Hall, built to commemorate the Festival of Britain in 1951.

No Festival of Britain would be complete without a lion—he was painted in ‘British Rail red’ to welcome visitors arriving at the nearby Waterloo Station. In 1966, the lion was relocated to accommodate the expansion of the train station and has since taken his place here.

A second lion, painted in gold, now perches above the central pillar of the Rowland Hill Memorial Gate (Gate 3) to the west of Twickenham Stadium. The accompanying images depict the lion atop the brewery, his removal in 1924, his watchful presence over Waterloo, and his current location.

🎉 On this day in 1951, the Festival of Britain opened on London’s South Bank, igniting a wave of post-war optimism and s...
03/05/2025

🎉 On this day in 1951, the Festival of Britain opened on London’s South Bank, igniting a wave of post-war optimism and showcasing British creativity in design, science, and the arts. With iconic structures like the Skylon and the Dome of Discovery, it celebrated innovation and inspired a new era of modernist style. Over 8 million visitors experienced this “tonic for the nation,” leaving a legacy that still shapes British design today.   

How did you keep cool on the hottest day of the year so far?
01/05/2025

How did you keep cool on the hottest day of the year so far?

The first 5,000 American soldiers to reach England march across Westminster Bridge following their declaration of war ...
13/04/2025

The first 5,000 American soldiers to reach England march across Westminster Bridge following their declaration of war on Germany on 6th April 1917.

The Olympic Bell, weighing an impressive 23 tons, it is the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world. Created for th...
06/04/2025

The Olympic Bell, weighing an impressive 23 tons, it is the largest harmonically tuned bell in the world. Created for the London 2012 Olympics, it gained fame for ringing at the start of the grand opening ceremony. Adorned with a quote from Shakespeare: “Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises…”, it represents British culture and unity.

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