“a man isn’t dead while his name is still spoken“
This project, affectionately named Project Gnu, began with research into Preston Brook Wharf during the First World War, and a wish to honour the men who lost their lives. As the work unfolded, it expanded to include the boaters whom the wharf served. From there, the memorial grew — expanding to include all the waterways and their wartime stories.
Today, our ongoing research seeks to uncover and share the stories of boaters from both World Wars: men who came home, men who never did, and those who continued their vital work on the boats — some of whom lost their lives during the Blitz.
If you know something about any of the men we’ve mentioned, have a story to share, or would like to include someone connected to the waterways and the wars, please do get in touch — even the smallest detail can make a difference