Belgian commemoration
An important part of East Twickenham’s history is the help it gave to 6,000 Belgian refugees during the Second World War. A new sculpture has been created to commemorate what became known as ‘The Belgian Village on the Thames’ because of the huge influence the incoming Belgians had. They arrived in their thousands to work at the Pelabon Munitions Works behind Warren Gardens on the riverside and whole pockets of East Twickenham became Belgian enclaves. One of the Pelabon workshops later became Richmond Ice Rink before becoming luxury flats.
Pelabon Factory, East Twickenham