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

SHAEF, Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, WW2

SHAEF, Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, WW2

Much of the planning for D-Day was carried out at Norfolk House. Eisenhower arrived there in January 1944 to take on the role of Supreme Allied Commander.  c.April 1944 SHAEF moved out to Camp Grif...

Group, Armed Forces

5 memorials
William Henry Grimbaldeston, VC

William Henry Grimbaldeston, VC

Awarded the VC for his heroism on 16 August 1917, age 27, while serving in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. "In spite of heavy fire from a blockhouse, he pressed on towards its entrance, threaten...

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
Lieutenant Bernard Henry Gilbert Shaw

Lieutenant Bernard Henry Gilbert Shaw

Bernard Henry Gilbert Shaw was born on 11 October 1893 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, the second of the ten children of the Reverend Edward Domett Shaw (1860-1937) and Agnes Shaw née Gilbey ...

Person, Armed Forces, France

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Private Frank David Chubb

Private Frank David Chubb

Frank David Chubb was born on 30 August 1882 in Willesden, Middlesex (now Greater London), the son of George Edward Hurrell Chubb (1851-1941) and Elizabeth Chubb née Staddon (1851-1942). His birth ...

Person, Armed Forces, France

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
W. A. J. Morgan

W. A. J. Morgan

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

Previously viewed

A. G. Hodges

A. G. Hodges

46569 Driver Royal Field Artillery. 15.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
J. Brenton, Pte.

J. Brenton, Pte.

Imperial Camel Corps, Australian Contingent, 1st Battalion

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Heath & (Old) Hampstead Society / Hampstead Plaque Fund

Heath & (Old) Hampstead Society / Hampstead Plaque Fund

The Hampstead Plaque fund was set up, many years ago, by Ralph Wade and has been administered by the Society ever since.

Group, Community / Clubs, History

39 memorials
Robert Huxley

Robert Huxley

Robert Henry Peter Huxley was one of twin sons born on 22 July 1953 to Walter James Frederick Huxley (1914-1959) and Giovanna Rosa Huxley née Previero (1918-1976) in Thornton Heath, Surrey. His bro...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial