Blue plaque winners

Anne Winifrede O'Reilly

1891 to 1963
Worked in Camberwell, tutoring non evacuated children during the war

In 1939 Anne O'Reilly returned to teaching, organising home tuition in Camberwell for children who had not been evacuated during the war. She was in charge of Peckham Central School in 1940, where she spent six years and pushed through the introduction of International Studies into the curriculum (bringing together English, Geography, Art, Literature, and Music) and a more comprehensive approach to education.

O'Reilly then went on to volunteer for the Camberwell Youth Committee, Londoner's Meals Service Centres, known as 'British Restaurants', providing food for those affected by the bombing, delivering food to over 3,000 across south London. Her contributions to the war effort were recognised and she received an OBE in 1942. 

As Principal at Walworth School in 1947, Anne O'Reilly managed one of the first comprehensive, mixed-gender schools and was a legendary figure to many families in Southwark, and held the post with distinction until her retirement in 1955.  

John Lawson Johnson

1839 to 1900
Creator of Bovril and lived in Bovril Castle (Kingswood House, Dulwich)

John Lawson Johnston created Johnston's Fluid Beef in Canada, 1874. He sold the businesses in 1880 moved back to England, and lived in Bovril Castle where he developed Bovril brand.

The Pumphouse Musuem and Educational Trust

Pumphouse for the Surrey Docks built in 1929, later used as Rotherhithe's heritage museum

The Pumphouse Museum and Educational Trust is home to Roman artefacts to present day finds that give insight into the lives and history of one of London's oldest villages, Rotherhithe. One of the main attractions of the museum is the replica wedding cake for Queen Elizabeth, designed and iced by Peek Freans.