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

Royal Engineers

Royal Engineers

A corps of the British Army. It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces. Known as 'sappers' apparently from the French 'sappe' meaning 'spadework' or '...

Group, Armed Forces, Engineering

1 memorial
W. H. Whitaker

W. H. Whitaker

Student of Trinity College of Music, killed in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces, Music / songs

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Hyde Park Barracks / Knightsbridge Barracks

Hyde Park Barracks / Knightsbridge Barracks

This site was first developed in 1795 for use by the Horse Guards. The barracks were designed by architect James Johnson and buildings were added up to 1803. (British History Online – 1st Barracks ...

Group, Armed Forces, Animals

2 memorials
Harry Mallin

Harry Mallin

Boxer and policeman. Born Henry William Mallin in Hackney. Although primarily a policeman, he took part in the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, winning gold. He also participated in the 1924 Olympics in P...

Person, Armed Forces, Sport / Games, TV & Radio, Belgium, France

1 memorial
Lieutenant George Albert Cairns, VC

Lieutenant George Albert Cairns, VC

Victoria Cross. Somerset Light Infantry attached 1bn the South Staffordshire Regiment. Wikipedia, our Picture source, tells his story.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
2 memorials

Previously viewed

Evangelista Torricelli

Evangelista Torricelli

Physicist and mathematician, best known for his invention of the barometer.

Person, Science, Italy

1 memorial
Tonbridge Club

Tonbridge Club

From Tony Jauncey: "Tonbridge club in Judd Street was founded after WW2 by a local vicar for the boys of King's Cross and surrounding area, to get them off the street and channel their energy into ...

Group, Children, Community / Clubs, Sport / Games

1 memorial
City of London Cemetery Heritage Trail

City of London Cemetery Heritage Trail

A walk commemorating people buried in the cemetery.

Place, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
English Heritage

English Heritage

English Heritage (officially the English Heritage Trust) is a charity that manages over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places. These include prehistoric sites, medieval castles, Roman forts,...

Group, Architecture, History, Property

421 memorials