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

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald Davis Dawnay

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Archibald Davis Dawnay

Born Archibald Davis Dawnay. Mayor of Wandsworth 1908 - his death in 1919. We can find nothing about the man but here's some information about his company, from the magnificent Grace's Guide, in 19...

Person, Armed Forces, Industry, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Harry Green

Harry Green

Resident of the Central Ward, Hendon who served and died in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Czechoslovak Air Force Association

Czechoslovak Air Force Association

When Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Nazis, more than two thousand Czech airmen joined the Royal Air Force to fight the Germans, and many took part in the Battle of Britain.

Group, Armed Forces, Aviation, Community / Clubs, Czechoslovakia

1 memorial
Men of Twickenham who died in WW1 & WW2

Men of Twickenham who died in WW1 & WW2

Armed forces victims of both world wars.

Group, Armed Forces, Tragedy

1 memorial
Rifleman Frederick Hayter

Rifleman Frederick Hayter

Frederick Hayter was born in 1897 in Islington, London, the fifth of the seven children of Frank Hayter (1858-1939) and Annie Hayter née Shepherd (1861-1947). His birth was registered in the 1st qu...

Person, Armed Forces, Belgium

War dead, WW1
1 memorial

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Midland Bank

Midland Bank

Founded as the Birmingham and Midland Bank in Birmingham. Expanded to become the London City and Midland Bank in 1891, and Midland Bank Ltd in 1923. In 1992, it was taken over by HSBC who had phase...

Group, Commerce

3 memorials
London Irish Centre

London Irish Centre

The charity provides care, culture and community to the Irish across London, working from the iconic London Irish Centre in Camden Town.

Group, Community / Clubs, Social Welfare, Ireland

1 memorial
Wimpole Street Post Office

Wimpole Street Post Office

This was at the southern end of Wimpole Street, on the east side.  The Royal Society of Medicine website tells us: "Once again 1 Wimpole Street was given a major refurbishment between 1982 – 86 ......

Building, Commerce, Property

1 memorial
Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

Prime Minister 1940 - 45 and 1951 - 55. Born Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, Oxford, into an aristocratic family. His father was the son of the Duke of Marlborough, and his mother was born in Broo...

Person, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, Seriously Famous

30 memorials
Battersea Society

Battersea Society

As so often happens, this group was formed to campaign against the proposed demolition of something, in this case Albert Bridge. Thankfully their campaign was successful and they have gone on to si...

Group, Community / Clubs, History

4 memorials