Dr. Banardo’s Funeral Procession, Commercial Road

The Funeral of Dr Banardo was held on Wednesday 27th September 1905.  The Funeral Procession is seen here nearing Stepney Causeway where Dr Banardo’s had his Headquarters and Boy’s Home, opened in 1870.  In 1866, he had become a medical student at the London Hospital and started his work with homeless boys in the East End soon after.

Dr Banardo had died of a heart attack at his home in Surbiton on the 19th September 1905.  On Friday 22nd September 1905, his body was moved to the Edinburgh Castle, Rhodeswell Road, Limehouse, where it lay in state for several days, allowing thousands of people to pay their last respects.  On the Wednesday, a large crowd had gathered outside the Edinburgh Castle for the Funeral, swelled by children given the afternoon off from Dr Banardo’s Ragged School nearby.  The Funeral Procession started off at noon, with two mounted policemen leading the Procession, followed by 1500 boys from Barnardo’s Homes.  Next came the hearse bearing the coffin, filled with flowers.   The coffin had a simple inscription that read: Thomas John Banardo - died 19th September 1905.  The hearse was flanked by twenty-two pall bearers, who were Dr Banardo’s co-workers.  His empty hansom cab comes next led by his coachman of many years, Peer.  In the next two carriages were members of his family and people from other organisations caring for children.

The Funeral Procession proceeded along Burdett Road and then Commercial Road. The whole route was lined with people, many taking advantage of windows and door ways.  The Funeral Procession stopped at Stepney Causeway, so that members of his staff and children from the Home could also pay their last respects.  It moved off again down Commercial Road, then turned into Middlesex Street and arrived at a packed Liverpool Street Station.  Here a special train waited to convey the Funeral Procession to Barkingside Station.   The Funeral Procession then proceeded to the Banardo’s Girls’ Village Home at Barkingside.  After remaining a few days in the Village Church, giving time for others to pay their last respects, the body was cremated and the ashes buried in the grounds of the Girls’ Village Home on Wednesday 4th October 1905.