English Heritage asks public for help to recover London’s ‘lost’ plaques

War damage, demolition and refurbishment blamed for disappearing roundels now themselves part of history

The very first commemorative blue plaque was awarded in 1867, in honour of the poet Lord Byron at his house and birthplace in Holles Street, near Cavendish Square in London.

But the plaque – the first in a long, prestigious tradition of recognising some of the most influential figures in history – was lost when the house was demolished in 1889.