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English Heritage Blue Plaques

The English Heritage Blue Plaque scheme in London is well known. It originated in a scheme started by the Society of Arts (now the Royal Society of Arts) in 1867. Subsequently it was run by the London County Council and later the Greater London Council. It was taken over by English Heritage in 1986 and more information can be found on their website.

Between 1999-2005 it was decided to experimentally extend the scheme outside London. Birmingham, Liverpool and Merseyside, Portsmouth and Southampton were the areas selected for the trial extensions.

Seven plaques were erected in Portsmouth. The texts and locations are as follows :-

Lieutenant Norman Holbrooke VC 1888-1976 Submariner and Hero of the Dardenelles grew up here.                                                St Johns College, Warleigh, Grove Road South, Southsea

Fred T Jane 1865-1916 Naval Author, Artist and Propagandist. lived here 1898-1911.                                                                     . 17 Elphinstone Road, Southsea

Rudyard Kipling 1865-1936 Writer and Nobel Laureate lived here as a boy 1871-77                                                                         4Campbell Road, Southsea

Thomas Ellis Owen 1804-1862 architect and developer of Southsea lived here from 1849.                                                                Portsmouth High School for Girls, Dovercourt, Kent Road, Southsea

Peter Sellars 1925-1980 Actor and Comedian was born here.                                                                                                         Mayfower Restaurant, 96 Castle Road, Southsea

Commander Edwin Unwin VC 1864-1950 Hero of Gallipoli lived here.                                                                                               12 Helena Road, Southsea

Dame Francis A Yates 1899-1981 Renaissance historian was born here.                                                                                              53 Victoria Road North, Southsea

All these plaques can be seen from the public road but all are on private property, and two are located within school grounds.

Other plaque schemes have operated in the city, the City Council has operated schemes at various times commemorating amongst others W L Wyllie, Conan Doyle and John Pounds. Other plaques include one to be erected at 12 High Street, Old Portsmouth to mark the founding of Portsmouth Football Club in 1898, when building work to the property is completed

 

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