First council homes in decades named after murder victim Kelso Cochrane

The first council homes delivered in a west London borough for decades have been named after a man who was murdered in the borough by white youths in 1959.

Days after the 65th anniversary of Kelso Cochrane’s murder, Kensington and Chelsea councillors, members of his family and community campaigners came together to officially open Kelso Cochrane House in Kensal Road, North Kensington.

At the opening on May 22, there were several speeches, a bench unveiling by Millie Christian, Mr Cochrane’s niece, and Councillor Sof McVeigh, lead member for new homes, as well as a performance of  Since Kelso Cochrane Died by calypso singer Alexander D Great.

On the evening of May 16, 1959, Mr Cochrane paid a visit to his hospital, Paddington General. His thumb was painful after an injury at work. On his way back home, he was attacked by a group of five or six white youths.

No one was ever convicted of his murder and his family and friends continue the fight for justice to this day.

Ms Christian said: “The family are immensely grateful that the tragedy of Kelso’s death is finally being recognised. 

“We are thankful to Kensington and Chelsea council for approaching us to name this building in his memory so that Kelso can be remembered as part of the North Kensington community.

“We can only hope each and every time people come and go in this building, it will remind the community that we are all equal under the law.

“Had those who took Kelso’s life recognised and treated him as equal, this terrible tragedy would not have occurred.”

The new development offers 38 homes – 28 homes for council tenants and the remaining 10 for key workers.

These are the first council homes to be built in the borough for decades.

They are energy efficient, have a heating system which is better for the environment and cheaper than conventional heating, and have well insulated walls and double-glazed windows and doors to retain heat. 

The homes are also fitted with sprinklers, a fire alarm system and offer automatically opening vents in communal areas to release smoke as well as a CCTV system.

Cllr McVeigh said: “It is completely right and fitting that Kelso’s name is attached to these new homes and I’m so pleased that Kelso’s family, who have remained steadfast in their fight for justice, were present.

“Building new homes since Covid has been extremely challenging and as with many councils and developers, we have had to adapt our programme to address the challenge of rising costs due to factors such as inflation and the war in Ukraine. 

“But we remain committed to addressing the urgent need for properties in our borough and I hope the new residents at Kelso Cochrane House will be very happy in their new homes.”

A supermarket will be opening its doors near Kelso Cochrane House to serve residents as well as a new NHS centre providing easier access to health services.

Pictured top: A bench unveiling in Kelso Cochrane’s memory by his niece Millie Christian (Picture: Kensington and Chelsea council)