Group    From 1942  To 1965

Camp Griffiss / Widewing

Categories: Armed Forces

WW2 US military base in Bushy Park named after the first American aviator killed in Europe in WW2.

Four blocks of temporary buildings were constructed in 60 acres in the north-east section of Bushy Park, blocks A, B, C, and D. It’s said that their original purpose was to house businesses escaping from the London Blitz but when the US 8th Air Force, a strategic bombing force, arrived in February 1942 these blocks were reallocated to the Yanks.

The camp went on to serve as the European Headquarters for USAAF July 1942 - December 1944, and as Eisenhower's SHAEF January 1944 - c.April 1944. Camp Griffiss was housed in numerous permanent and temporary buildings and under canvas.

There was also an air-strip in Bushy Park, further south near the Royal Paddocks. At its peak some 4000 personnel were working, and some of them also living, in the Park. The picture source gives more details. All demolished in the 1960’s.

The command of WW2 was, as one might expect, complicated. Our researches into how this camp was used led us into a morass of dates and acronyms, confusing and contradictory. Suffice it to say Camp Griffiss was an important site for the Americans and the overall command.

The picture source also has a photo of some US graffiti cut into a brick at the nearby "ice house in Home Park, next to Hampton Court and near to the Kingston gate".

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Camp Griffiss / Widewing

Commemorated ati

Camp Griffiss, Block A, NE corner

{On the left side:} This is the site of the north east corner of "A" block, C...

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Camp Griffiss, Block A, NW corner

{On the left side:} This is the site of the north west corner of “A” block, C...

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Camp Griffiss, Block A, SE corner

{On the left side:} This is the site of the south east corner of “A” block, C...

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Camp Griffiss, Block A, SW corner

{On the left side:} This is the site of the south west corner of “A” block, C...

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Camp Griffiss, Block B, NE corner

{On the left side:} This is the site of the north east corner of "B" block, C...

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Other Subjects

A. Watkins

A. Watkins

Resident of Hendon who served and died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
J. E. Sumner

J. E. Sumner

Resident of Hendon who served and died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Lieutenant General William Strode

Lieutenant General William Strode

Buried at Westminster Abbey where his monument reads: "Near this place lye the remains of William Strode Esq. Lieutenant General of His Majestys forces and Colonel of the LXII Regiment of Foot. He ...

Person, Armed Forces

1 memorial
F. C. Stratford

F. C. Stratford

Employed at the Holloway tram garage. Served and was killed in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
William MacGovan

William MacGovan

Had served in the Duke of Cornwall's L.I. At the time of his death was an in-pensioner at Chelsea Hospital and a patient in the Infirmary.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Artist Rifles

Artist Rifles

W1, St George Street, 8

The Artist Rifles was formed here at the studio of Henry Wyndham Phillips, 1860.

2 subjects commemorated
Borough of Enfield

Borough of Enfield

The northernmost borough of London. Formed by the amalgamation of the Municipal Boroughs of Southgate, Enfield and Edmonton.

Place, Politics & Administration

11 memorials
Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford

Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford

Interested in rural science and one of the chief patrons of the Bath and West Agricultural Society of which he was President at the time of his death. His youngest politician brother, William (176...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Henry I. Barnato

Henry I. Barnato

Married Rachel née Pollock (1849-1877).

Person, Friend / family

1 memorial
Professor Banister Fletcher

Professor Banister Fletcher

Architect and surveyor. Churchwarden of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe. He and his sons, Banister Flight Fletcher and Herbert Phillips Fletcher, formed the architectural practice: Banister Fletcher &amp...

Person, Architecture, Liveries & Guilds, Politics & Administration, Property

1 memorial