Blue plaque at Clapham Junction unveiled to honour local hero

Blue plaque for a local hero you can't learn about on Wikipedia.

A blue plaque to commemorate the man who protected Wandsworth Common was last week unveiled at Clapham Junction train station.

John Charles Buckmaster, who lived in a house near to what is now Clapham Junction station between 1819-1908, led the 19th Century campaign that ultimately was successful in protecting Wandsworth Common from development.

The much loved green space a short walk west of Clapham Common was, thanks to his legacy, recently able to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

Described on the plaque that honours him as an "educator, orator and campaigner for Wandsworth Common", those present to commemorate his name's addition to the highly-esteemed blue plaque scheme included his great, great grandson Viscount Buckmaster, on behalf of the Battersea Society which had campaigned for the memorial, the deputy mayor of Wandsworth Cllr Lucy Mowatt and the chairman of Network Rail Sir Peter Hendy.

Cllr Mowatt said: "It was a privilege to welcome everyone to the unveiling of a blue plaque to John Charles Buckmaster and highly appropriate as it was 150 years almost to the day that the Wandsworth Common Act was passed in 1871, saving the green space of Wandsworth Common for the people of Battersea and Wandsworth in perpetuity."

William Robertson, Clapham Junction station manager, said "It was an honour to be part of a ceremony honouring a local legend who did so much to keep green spaces open for everyone to enjoy today.

"It was also amazing to hear speeches from Sir Peter and Viscount Buckmaster who paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of John Charles Buckmaster."

London's famous blue plaques date back to 1866 in what is thought to be the oldest scheme of its kind in the world. Across the capital more than 900 plaques are displayed on buildings honouring notable men and women who have lived or worked in them and serve as a reminder of the contributions made while preserving history for generations to come.

London's famous blue plaques date back to 1866 with the scheme honouring notable men and women who lived or worked in buildings we now occupy today. The plaques serve as a reminder of the contributions previous generations made and help us all play a part in keeping the memory of those contributions alive today.

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