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The outbreak of war led to anti-German riots across London.

There had been a large German community in the capital for many years. German bakers and butchers were well established in the city.

Fuelled, in part, by strong anti-German sentiment in the popular press; anti-German violence occurred throughout 1914-1918.

Some of the worst violence took place in Deptford, south-east London, in October 1914.

The sinking of the civilian ship RMS Lusitania in May 1915, led to more rioting with hundreds of people arrested and many German families left homeless.

Some Germans who remained in London during the war didn鈥檛 suffer violence but were shunned by people who had for a long time been their neighbours. Intolerance towards Germans in London lasted throughout the war and beyond.

Location: Deptford High Street, Deptford, London SE8
Image: Anti-German violence in the East End. Photograph courtesy of IWM.