This area of the City of London is rather dispiriting: modern architecture has swamped the very soul of the place, each relentless monstrosity bearing a lowly plaque declaring the former site of this or that which would’ve been far more interesting. One of the missing buildings in what was the old walled city was the site of the former headquarters of the General Post Office; hence we visit Postman’s Park a sparse patch of greenery that was once the graveyard of St Botolph’s without Aldergate in which, today, small people have been brought for a breath of ‘fresh’ air. It seems dull and inconsequential but herein lies a secret.

Here is a sad but glorious monument by the artist, George Watts, conceived to honour those who died whilst saving others and who might otherwise have been forgotten.

I’m beginning what I hope will be a mini series with Thomas Simpson who died of exhaustion after saving many lives from the breaking ice at Highgate Ponds on January 25th, 1885. Recent severe frosts had succeed in hardening the ice on many ponds and lakes in London but they were still deemed insufficiently safe for skating. No-one took any notice even though the police had been deployed to try and stop activity. It was a lost cause: 300-400 skaters were recorded in Regent’s Park.

There were seven ponds in Highgate Park outside Lord Mansfield’s estate and around 4pm, when many had gone indoors for tea, there were still around 200 folk skating on the second pond. Suddenly, there was a huge noise as the ice cracked and gave way. Loud shouts and screams prevailed as nine people were immersed. Three were initially pulled out by a special constable.

Thomas Simpson was an itinerant labourer; a well-known character from a local farm, aged in his late forties. Arriving on the scene, he dived in and successfully rescued a youngster. Not content with this act of bravery, he returned to the icy waters but, suffering from the cold and from exhaustion, he was unable to save himself. Another volunteer jumped in and brought Thomas to the shore but, too late. No-one, including a passing doctor, could revive him and when the ambulance truck arrived from Highgate, it was to take Thomas to St Pancras Mortuary.

It was a miracle that only three people drowned that day. The coroner gave a verdict of death by misadventure and The Royal Humane Society made a well-received call for the installation of efficient life-saving equipment which was, indeed, heeded by the aristocracy and the corporation.