Marking the death of the Queen in SW London and Surrey

Many locals have been sharing their memories and photos of Her Majesty the Queen, among them the Royal Star & Garter, of which the Queen was patron. The charity provides care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, and has a home in Surbiton. Established in 1916 to care for severely disabled young men returning from WWI battlegrounds, it was based in Richmond until 2013. Queen Elizabeth II became the charity’s patron 69 years ago, and made several visits to the Richmond home. The image above, from Royal Star & Garter, shows her visit in 1978. Said Chair, Major General Tim Tyler: “As a veteran herself, Her Majesty had a natural affinity with our residents. Always a proud advocate of the Armed Forces community, The Queen’s support for Royal Star & Garter never wavered. It was an honour and privilege to have had Her Majesty’s patronage.”

Also sharing his recollections is Putney photographer Andrew Wilson, who remembers her visit to Richmond Park on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. We love this photo (above) that he took of the Queen. Read his story here.

Condolence books have been opened up across the boroughs for the public to add their messages and there are also online books available to sign. Locals have been laying floral tributes, too. Please check individual council websites for locations and any guidelines.

Merton’s virtual book is available here. Condolence books are open at the civic centre and in six libraries.

In Kingston, there are a number of locations where you can sign books or leave a floral tribute such as the Memorial Gardens or the site of the Coronation Stone, Guildhall. See here for more information. The virtual book can be found here.

And the National Trust has opened books locally including at Ham House and Claremont Landscape Gardens. Details here.

Books of condolence have been opened at Wandsworth Town Hall in both the Marble Hall and customer centre and in all 11 of the borough’s libraries: Balham, Putney, Tooting, Battersea, Southfields, Earlsfield, Northcote, Roehampton, Battersea Park, York Gardens and Wandsworth Town. Alternatively people can send in their own handwritten messages of condolence to the town hall and these will be incorporated into the borough’s books of condolence. Floral tributes may be laid in the front garden of Wandsworth Town Hall and in Battersea Park in an area located between the Russell Page Garden and the park’s fountains.

Epsom & Ewell Council has set up three books, including The Town Hall Reception and Bourne Hall. Condolence books will close temporarily at 10am during the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and will close permanently the day after the funeral. Following this they will be sent to the Surrey Archives accompanied by a letter from the Mayor.

In Sutton, a book of condolence is available for residents to sign at the Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday. The book of condolence will close the day after the Queen’s state funeral.

The Royal Family has announced that a national online book of condolence is available on the Royal website.