More than 200 people packed St Andrew’s Church in Brockley on Sunday, January 18, to honour 14 young black people who died after the 1981 New Cross fire at a birthday party on New Cross Road.
The victims, aged 14 to 22, were Patrick Cummings, Andrew Gooding, Peter Campbell, Gerry Paul Francis, Steve Collins, Patricia Johnson, Rosaline Henry, Lloyd Hall, Humphrey Geoffrey Brown, Owen Thompson, Yvonne Ruddock, Glenton Powell, Paul Ruddock and Anthony Berbeck.
Anthony Berbeck took his own life in 1983.
Baroness Benjamin said: “These families have never received the justice they so clearly and desperately deserve.
“It’s as if their children’s lives don’t matter, and the trauma, depression and mental health effects families must endure each day looking for answers and closure, all of that is not important.
“This shameful part of history has left a stain on British society.”
The tragedy sparked a protest of 10,000 people in central London.
Two inquests returned open verdicts; the second said there was not enough evidence to confirm unlawful killing, despite the coroner saying it was “more likely than not” started deliberately by setting an armchair alight.
Professor Patrick Vernon, a cultural historian and Windrush campaigner, said the tragedy “exposed how black lives, black grief and black suffering were treated in this country.”
He said: “We know that in the last 45 years there have been positive changes but we also know that there is much more to be done, and we owe it to those young people to keep struggling against racism and hatred in all its forms, locally, nationally and internationally.”
Survivors and bereaved families paid tribute at the Brockley service.
Sandra Ruddock, who lost her husband and sister-in-law, spoke of the impact the fire still has.
She said: “Today is not only about mourning the loss but about recognising the love that still exists because of them – smiles, conversations and shared moments and ordinary days with them that now mean everything.
“Let us follow those we’ve lost by remembering them with dignity and by caring for those who are hurting and always choosing kindness.”
Richard Gooding paid tribute to his brother Andrew, who died aged 14.
He said: “I would like to say how much I respect and admire the strength and courage of the survivors and also the families and parents who suffered so much grief and pain.”
At the service, a candle was lit for each victim and the congregation replied “we remember you” after every name.
A “lantern of hope” was lit and carried to a stained glass window dedicated to their memory.
