Memorial for Forgotten Army at St Paul's Cathedral

Aim

Creating a permanent memorial at St. Paul’s Cathedral to remember the Chinese Labour Corps — the Forgotten Army of the First World War.

Having received permission to go ahead with this project, I am raising funds to install a permanent memorial to the Chinese Labour Corps (CLC) within the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral — the nation’s spiritual heart and a place of remembrance for heroes and visionaries. More than 750,000 people pass through this area each year.

The monument will honour the 120,000 Chinese men who served the Allied Forces during the First World War — 97,000 who were directly enlisted by the British — whose contribution has been largely forgotten by history.

Why This Matters

During the First World War, the Chinese Labour Corps performed essential and often perilous work for the British Armed Forces: digging trenches, clearing battlefields, repairing roads and railways. Many lost their lives. Without them, the war effort would not have been sustained.

Yet, after the war, they were quietly forgotten — known by some as “the Forgotten Army.” Their story has faded from national memory, but it deserves a lasting place at the heart of it. Across the United Kingdom there are more than 50,000 memorials to the glorious dead — some even to animals — yet none that bear the name of the Chinese Labour Corps. This memorial seeks to change that.

The Journey So Far

I first learned of the CLC in the summer of 2020, during the COVID lockdown, when I attended an online seminar organised by The Meridian Society. Until that moment, I had never heard of them. Something in me stirred. I often think about how different it would have been, growing up in this country, if I had known their story — to know that Chinese men had once stood shoulder to shoulder with others in Britain’s hour of need.

In 2021, and as a member of The Teahouse, I was invited to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on 11 November at 11am [1]. It was a deeply moving experience — standing in the nation’s capital to honour the Chinese Labour Corps — but I realised then that something permanent needed to be established.

For the past five years, I have been building on the work of others — historians, descendants, artists and advocates. I’ve spoken out on BBC Radio Berkshire [2], and local newspapers have helped share this forgotten chapter of history [3]. But stories, however powerful, can fade. What we need now is something permanent — something that will last for generations to come.

In February 2024, a message arrived that changed everything. The Canon Chancellor of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Dr. Paula Gooder, had seen one of my 'tweets' and we began to talk. Over the summer, I reached out to Wenlan Peng from The Meridian Society, and together we visited the proposed site inside St. Paul’s.

When we stood in the Nelson Chamber, surrounded by pillars — eight in total, an auspicious number in Chinese culture — I felt tears welling up. It was as if the story had come full circle: the forgotten labourers of China finally being welcomed into the heart of British remembrance.

In June 2025, we submitted a proposal to the Cathedral Chapter, and after a couple of months of careful consultation with both the Cathedral authorities and the Chinese Embassy in London, we received the 'in principal' agreement to proceed in September 2025.

This memorial will ensure that the story of the Chinese Labour Corps will be remembered not just in passing, but permanently, within the walls of the nation’s cathedral. One day, I hope my children, and other British Chinese families, will be able to visit this place and know that their forebears helped shape the nation we call home.

The Design

The memorial will be crafted in Portland stone (or, if funds allow, a harder marble) to match the dignity of its surroundings. Its dimensions will mirror the other memorials within the crypt: 545mm high and 845mm wide. It will bear Chinese and English inscriptions, reflecting the shared language of service and remembrance:

“In honour of the Chinese Labour Corps for their service to the Allied Forces during the First World War.”

The final design, wording and location have yet to be confirmed. We will be consulting with members of the British Chinese community and experts in history and heritage to ensure that the memorial appropriately reflects the dignity, language, and legacy of the Chinese Labour Corps.

The Cost

St. Paul’s Cathedral is a registered charity, and any costs associated with the creation of a new memorial and its installation are to be covered by the applying organization. The total cost of the memorial and installation is expected to be £15,000–£20,000.

This Crowdfunder seeks to raise £15,000.

If we are blessed with additional funds, these will go towards educational and commemorative projects — talks, school resources, and public events to share the story of the CLC with future generations.

Where You Come In

This project is not simply about creating a monument. It is about restoring a chapter of our shared story — one of courage, service, and belonging — to its rightful place in the nation’s memory.

By giving, you become part of something lasting: a legacy that will speak to generations yet to come. This memorial will stand long after today’s headlines have faded, reminding visitors from around the world that the story of Britain has always been woven from many threads — including those of the Chinese Labour Corps.

Together, we can ensure that their memory endures — in the stone of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and in the heart of the nation.

Footnotes

[1] Church Times coverage of Wreath Laying: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/19-november/news/uk/priest-and-ordinands-lay-wreath-at-cenotaph-for-forgotten-army-of-chinese-labourers

[2] BBC Radio Berkshire Interview: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0l7y367

[3] Wokingham Today Coverage: https://wokingham.today/woodley-vicar-lays-wreath-for-forgotten-army/

[4] Raising Awareness of the CLC at The National Diversity Awards: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/news/mark-celebrated-as-diversity-champion.php

** All photos of the CLC from the WJ Hawkings collection courtesy of his grandson John de Lucy.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 31st December 2026 at 12:00pm