Event    From 1939  To 1945

World War 2

Categories: Armed Forces, Tragedy

Sorry, we've done no research on WW2, it's just too big a subject. But do visit the picture source web site - it has a fascinating collection of maps. And we enjoyed these photos of current WW2 evidence in London. Also for some signs of WW2 on buildings in London see Spitalfields Life.

February 2015: Londonist did something we’ve been meaning to do for ages: they’ve brought together all the various heads of state and governments-in-exile that found a home in London during WW2.  We’ve shamelessly taken that splendid research and linked it to the associated memorials that we’ve found.

The Free French wartime headquarters were at 1 Dorset Square and at Carlton Gardens where there are two  plaques and a statue.  De Gaulle lived in Hampstead.

The Netherlands’ head of state, Queen Wilhelmina, lived at Claridge’s and had her Secretariat at 77 Chester Square where there is a plaque.  The Dutch government initially met in the Dutch Reformed Church at 7 Austin Friars but this was destroyed by bombs in 1940 which may be what prompted them to move to Stratton House, 79 Piccadilly. And the Dutch club was at Oranjehaven.

The Polish Prime Minister Sikorski based himself in the Polish embassy at 47 Portland Place. The Polish President Raczkiewicz lived at 43 Eaton Place and ran his government in exile from here.

Belgium’s government-in-exile was based at the Belgian embassy at 105 Eaton Square.

The President of Czechoslovakia, Edvard Beneš, lived at 26 Gwendolen Avenue Putney.  The Czech government in exile was run from 3-8 Porchester Gate, Bayswater Road.

King Haakon of Norway officially lived at the Norwegian embassy at 10 Palace Green W8 where there is a plaque (not at 10 Kensington Palace Gardens) but often stayed at Claridges.  Prime Minister Nygaardsvold ran his government-in-exile from Kingston House North on Prince’s Gate.

King Peter II of Yugoslavia lived at Claridges.  His government in exile was run from Kingston House, the same address as the Norwegian government.

Luxembourg based its government in exile at 27 Wilton Crescent.

King George II of Greece lived at Claridges.

We believe these were also based in London but we need more information: Denmark’s government; King Zog of Albania; Emperor Haile Selassie of Abyssinia.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
World War 2

Commemorated ati

11 Group Operations Room

Unveiled by Lord Dowding.

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Abbey Road Depot - WW2 ARP members lost

Bill Wallis is described on the plaque as 'ARP Stretcher Bearer'. Which we ta...

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Abney Park - CWGC war memorial

The screen wall at the back, south, of the memorial carries a number of bronz...

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Adam Faith

Adam Faith (Terry Nelhams), 1940 - 2003, singer & actor born in a house o...

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African and Caribbean Armed Forces

Unveiled on Windrush Day. A very simple design, we think the horizontal obeli...

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Other Subjects

Flight Sergeant Jack Elwood Evans

Flight Sergeant Jack Elwood Evans

Jack Elwood Evans was born on 7 July 1920 in Akron, Summit County, Ohio, USA, a son of George Elwood Evans (1894-1969) and Ada May Evans née Deffenbaugh (1895-1960). He was an elder brother to Quen...

Person, Armed Forces, USA

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Royal Flying Corps

Royal Flying Corps

The potential for aircraft was recognised and so the Royal Flying Corps was established by a charter signed by King George V on 13 April 1912.  the first 'wing' (ho ho) was formed out of the Air Ba...

Group, Armed Forces, Aviation

2 memorials
Board of Ordnance / Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Board of Ordnance / Royal Army Ordnance Corps

Responsible for the supply of armaments and munitions to the army and the navy, based in the Tower of London and also used Verbruggen's House at the Woolwich Arsenal until 1939. Disbanded in 1855 d...

Group, Armed Forces

4 memorials
A. G. Bates

A. G. Bates

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
London Regiment

London Regiment

An infantry regiment in the British Army, part of the Territorial Force (later renamed the Territorial Army). The regiment saw distinguished service in World War I and was disbanded, shortly before...

Group, Armed Forces

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Charles Goddard
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Richard Coppock

Richard Coppock

Trade unionist and politician. Labour politician for Limehouse in the LCC. Parks Chairman in 1934. Elected in Limehouse 1937. Chairman of the Highways Committee of the LCC in 1937. LCC Chairman in ...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Cpl. Cecil George Last, MM

Cpl. Cecil George Last, MM

6th South African Armoured Division

Person

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Albert Memorial - Prince Albert

Albert Memorial - Prince Albert

SW7, Kensington Road

The bronze statue of Albert was originally gilded but this was removed in WW1 (or just never got renewed) and the statue was effectively ...

1 subject commemorated, 6 creators
Shenda Amery

Shenda Amery

Sculptor (or "sculptress", according to her website). Born England, studied chemistry and moved to Iran where she took up art and sculpture. Active in 2011.

Person, Sculpture, Iran/Persia

1 memorial