George Arthur Roberts
Plaques
Plaques
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[thumb\|right\|Blue Plaque for George Arthur Roberts \|alt\= Circular blue plaque, with six lines of text reading "George A. Roberts / 1890 to 1970 / First World War soldier, / Second World War fireman, / West Indian Community Leader / lived here 1923 to 1970". Above those, the text "London Borough of Southwark" and below them, "Voted by the People".](/wiki/File:BluePlaque_George_Arthur_Roberts.jpg "BluePlaque George Arthur Roberts.jpg") 

In September 2016, Roberts was honoured with a blue plaque by the [London Borough of Southwark](/wiki/London_Borough_of_Southwark "London Borough of Southwark") as one of the first black men to serve in the army and fire brigade.

The plaque is located on the Lewis Trust Dwellings in Warner Road, Camberwell, London. The scheme was led by the Southwark Heritage Association.

At the unveiling firefighters solemnly formed a guard of honour at the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by family, politicians including [Harriet Harman](/wiki/Harriet_Harman "Harriet Harman") and the Mayor of Southwark, and assorted dignitaries, including the Acting High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago.

Southwark historian [Stephen Bourne](/wiki/Stephen_Bourne_%28writer%29 "Stephen Bourne (writer)") had researched his life and career. Bourne then nominated Roberts for the blue plaque. When his nomination was accepted, Bourne led a campaign for Roberts to win. Roberts not only won, but proved to be a popular choice with voters. In 2020, Bourne included Roberts and his service in the Second World War in his book *Under Fire – Black Britain in Wartime 1939\-45* (The History Press).

[thumb\|Red Plaque on New Cross Fire Station\|alt\=Circular red plaque, with six lines of text reading "George A Roberts BEM / 1890 to 1970 / First World War Soldier / Second World War Leading Fireman / West Indian Community Leader / Worked here from 1939". Above those, the text and logo "London Fire Brigade".](/wiki/File:George_Roberts_Red_Plaque.jpg "George Roberts Red Plaque.jpg") 

On 15 April 2018 a red plaque was unveiled by [London Fire Brigade](/wiki/London_Fire_Brigade "London Fire Brigade") on [New Cross Fire Station](/wiki/New_Cross_Fire_Station "New Cross Fire Station") in South East London where he was stationed in [World War Two](/wiki/World_War_II "World War II").


What does it mean for George Arthur Roberts to have been voted for by the people?