Auxiliary fireman killed in the bomb attack on Henry Cavendish School, Balham.
Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Auxiliary Fireman Victor Harold Legg was born on 21 January 1907 in Wandsworth. He was the youngest of the eight children of Robert Legg (1848-1924) and Elizabeth Ann Legg née Crabb (1864-1908). His father was a labourer, who later became an asylum attendant. He was baptised on 12 February 1907 at St Mary's Church Summerstown, Wimbledon Road, Tooting and the family were living at 15 Maskell Road, Lower Tooting. His mother died in 1908 and the 1911 census confirms he was living with his widowed father and siblings at 15 Maskell Road.
On 26 June 1923 he enlisted as Boy Class II in the Royal Navy and was based at HMS Ganges, a shore based establishment in Shotley, Suffolk. He gave his occupation as a messenger when he enlisted and he was rated a Boy Class I on 10 February 1924. He was transferred to HMS Vivid I, another shore based training establishment in Devonport, Devon on 2 May 1924 before serving aboard the battleship HMS Resolution from 10 May 1924. On 21 January 1925, his 18th birthday, he signed on for 12 years service and was rated as an Ordinary Seaman before being rated as an Able Seaman on 21 August 1925. He continued to serve aboard HMS Resolution until 9 January 1926 when he returned to HMS Vivid I. On 17 March 1926 he was invalided in the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth and was medically discharged from the Royal Navy on 14 April 1926 suffering from Chronic Otitis Media, a long term problem with his middle ear.
Electoral registers for 1931 and 1932 show him living at 15 Maskell Road, SW17. On Christmas Day, 25 December 1932, he married Violet Maud Legood (1909-1996) at St Mary's Church, Summerstown. The marriage register shows his address was still 15 Maskell Road and his occupation was given as a technical fitter. His wife's address was shown as 30 Maskell Road and her occupation was listed as a factory hand. Electoral registers for 1933 show them both living at 15 Littleton Street, London, SW18 and from 1935 at 6 Fairlight Road, London, SW17. On 10 April 1935 their daughter Doreen Violet Legg (1935-1999) was born. The 1939 England and Wales Register confirms they were still living at 6 Fairlight Road and records his occupation as a Bakers Motor Roundsman.
He died, aged 33 years, on 6 November 1940 as a result of enemy action at AFS Fire Station 86W, that was located in the Cavendish Road School, Balham. The school was rebuilt after the war following the bomb damage and is now the Henry Cavendish Primary School, Hydethorpe Road, Balham. He is also commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, located just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey, London and his name appears on the National Firefighters Memorial at the junction of Carter Lane and Sermon Lane, London, EC4.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
