A powerful reminder

London Transport Museum cares for an important wartime landmark in the Capital, a deep-level air-raid shelter at Clapham South. This is one of eight commissioned by the government, and built by London Transport, to protect civilians in the Second World War.

In 1944, as the Capital endured air-raids, these shelters could provide refuge to more than 40,000 Londoners. During the post-war years, the mile of subterranean passageways at Clapham South continued to provide shelter to people from across the world as a hostel.

Today, its walls still bear scribbles and graffiti left by some of the thousands of people who took refuge here, from those who had lost their homes in the Capital to people displaced from their homes in Europe.

Look closely and you will see two pieces written in Ukrainian dating from 1949 and 1951.

When Chris first discovered these inscriptions, he asked me to help translate their messages and what they tell us about the authors and their experience of sheltering here at Clapham South. - Maria Blyzinsky

The first, dated 27 March 1949, translates as,

‘Here lived the wandering Ukrainians heading to Canada. Whoever reads this, remember us.’

“The inscription is accompanied by the tryzub, a trident which is the official emblem of Ukraine.

The second states simply,

‘Avdiiuk slept here, 1 July 1951’

You can imagine the authors of these messages, lying in their bunks and scribbling on the wall, seeking safety in a world still piecing itself back together after years of conflict. This month the world has been shocked by the terrible news about the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Underground stations have again become a place of sanctuary, with Ukrainians taking refuge in Kyiv metro and hospital wards being moved to the underground stations of Kharkiv. These small pieces of graffiti written more than 70 years ago serve as a powerful reminder to never forget the lessons to be learnt from history. - Maria Blyzinsky

Maria has chosen to donate her research fee from the Museum to the British Red Cross’ DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

London Transport Museum stands by the people of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with them and our Ukrainian friends and colleagues here in the UK.