Arguably the worst tragedy to befall Afrika UK occurred on January 18th 1981 where thirteen (and later fourteen) young people perished in the New Cross Massacre. A crime that remains unsolved to this day, amid debates about the cause of the inferno. (1) The annual memorial, organised by Lewisham Council takes place on Sunday 18 January 2026 at St Andrew’s Church, Brockley Road, London SE4 2SA. (2)

For decades, the weight of remembrance was borne primarily by the families and survivors but a renewed interest was sparked on the 30th anniversary in 2011 after the Nubian Jak Community Trust commemorative plaque unveiling. This inspired the creation of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament which called for the National Black People’s Day of Action on March 2nd, which grew out of the massacre to an annual observance and a public holiday. (3)

There is also a trove of New Cross Massacre Action Committee (NCMAC) documents held by the George Padmore Institute, the educational research and information archive based at New Beacon Books. The NCMAC, chaired by John La Rose, was formed two days after the fire to protest at the apparent bias and mishandling of the police investigation into the fire, challenge the indifference shown by the government and highlight distorted media coverage. The archives formed the basis of John La Rose’s book The New Cross Massacre Story, but there probably scope more study and research that can build on works like Menelik Shabazz’s contemoraneous documentary, Blood Ah Go Run and Steve McQueen’s 2021 Small Axe series. (4)

The last fifteen years has seen the deveopment of public memorials, exhibitions calls to get it included in the curriculum and a charitable foundation. The ripple effect of the NCM extends far beyond the families and survivors, taking in friends, associates, community and support workers and medical staff. (5)

Patrick Cummings, 21 September 1964 – 18 January 1981
Andrew Gooding,18 February 1966 – 18 January 1981
Peter Campbell, 23 February 1962 – 18 January 1981
Gerry Paul Francis, 21 August 1963 – 18 January 1981
Steve Collins, 2 May 1963 – 18 January 1981
Patricia Johnson, 16 May 1965 – 18 January 1981
Rosaline Henry, 23 September 1964 – 18 January 1981
Lloyd Hall, 28 November 1960 – 18 January 1981
Humphrey Geoffrey Brown, 4 July 1962 – 18 January 1981
Owen Thompson, 11 September 1964 – 18 January 1981
Yvonne Ruddock, 17 January 1965 – 24 January 1981
Glenton Powell, 18 January 1966 – 25 January 1981
Paul Ruddock, 19 November 1958 – 9 February 1981
Anthony Berbeck, 17 August 1962 – 9 July 1983

We will not forget.

(1) Harry Howard and Monica Greep (24/07/21) Families of 1981 New Cross fire victims stand by claims it was a ‘racist attack’ sparked by a driver who threw missile at house – but ex-Met Police detective insists there was ‘no evidence of firebomb’ in blaze that killed 13 people. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9818041/Families-1981-New-Cross-fire-victims-stand-claims-racist-attack.html; Nadine White (02/11/21) 1981 New Cross fire which killed 13 ‘wasn’t racist attack,’ survivor says amid new fears over prison confession. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-cross-fire-survivor-speaks-b1949219.html
(2) Lewisham Council (0/01/26) New Cross Fire – 45th Anniversary Memorial Service. https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/events/remembering-new-cross-fire
(3) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (2011) Blue Plaque Unveiled for New Cross Victims in The Whirlwind Issue 9. p. 4; Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (2011) National ‘Black People’s Day of Action’ Name it and Claim it! in The Whirlwind Issue 9. p. 3
(4) John La Rose (2011) The New Cross Massacre Story. New Beacon Books / George Padmore Institute; Rebecca Nicholson (20/07/21) Uprising review – Steve McQueen’s series on the New Cross fire is furious, devastating TV. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jul/20/uprising-review-steve-mcqueen-documentary-new-cross-fire-is-furious-devastating-remarkable; The George Padmore Institute (2011) New Cross Massacre Campaign. https://www.georgepadmoreinstitute.org/collections/new-cross-massacre-campaign-1980-1985
(5) Holly Brencher (13/09/25) Dalston Square revamped with new play and seating spaces. https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/25457347.dalston-square-revamped-new-play-seating-spaces/; Rugby Observer (08/01/23) Family and friends reclaim story of the New Cross fire with new exhibition in Rugby. https://rugbyobserver.co.uk/news/family-and-friends-reclaim-story-of-the-new-cross-fire-with-new-exhibition-in-rugby/; Sinai Fleary (18/01/23) New Cross Fire survivors call for national memorial. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/exclusive-news/2023/01/18/new-cross-fire-survivors-call-for-national-memorial/; New Cross Fire Foundation (2024) Promoting Legacy and working towards building resilient Communities: Who We Are. https://www.ncff.co.uk/aboutus

New Cross Massacre @ 45: What stories do we still need to tell?

1) How effectively have we memorialised the New Cross Massacre?
2) Has there an increased awareness over the 15 years?
3) Can we estimate the ripple effect of the New Cross Massacre?
4) How do we advance our overstanding of the New Cross Massacre?

Our Special Guest:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

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