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.

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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

Charles F. Sweeny

Charles F. Sweeny

Wealthy businessman living in London, 70 South Audley Street, who introduced the Duke of Windsor to golf. More importantly he initiated the Eagle Squadrons whereby American pilot volunteers could h...

Person, Armed Forces, USA

War served, WW2
1 memorial
The Reverend Reginald Herman Tribe

The Reverend Reginald Herman Tribe

Reginald Herman Tribe was born on 26 May 1881 in Chatham, Kent, the eldest of the four children of Herman Thomas Bedingfield Tribe (1855-1894) and Alice Mary Tribe, née Holder (b. c1860). His birth...

Person, Armed Forces, Medicine, Religion

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
J. R. Burnell

J. R. Burnell

J. Lyons & Co. Ltd. staff member who died in WW2.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
Blackshirts
2 memorials
Bengal Artillery 2nd Company 3rd Battalion

Bengal Artillery 2nd Company 3rd Battalion

Part of the force commanded by Havelock.

Group, Armed Forces

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Whitecross Street Market

Whitecross Street Market

One of London's oldest markets.  Started trading in 17th century and was known locally as "Squalors Market".  This information, on the plaque, comes from Wikipedia.  We can't add to it.

Place, Commerce

1 memorial
Paddington Street Gardens

Paddington Street Gardens

W1, Paddington Street Gardens

Off modern information board: gardens became a recreation ground, officially opened on 6 July 1886 by HRH Princess Louise.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators
Tower Liberty

Tower Liberty

The area in and around the Tower which was free from the jurisdiction of the City of London. Initially the Liberties of the Tower were restricted to the area within its walls and the land on Tower ...

Place, Politics & Administration

2 memorials