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

Second Lieutenant Archibald Edward Sheldon

Second Lieutenant Archibald Edward Sheldon

Archibald Edward Sheldon was born in Herne Hill, London, the elder child of John Sheldon (1856-1931) and Constance Theodosia Sheldon née Lewis (1862-1951). His birth was registered in the 1st quart...

Person, Armed Forces, Turkey

War dead, WW1
2 memorials
King Edmund II, Ironside

King Edmund II, Ironside

King of England, also known as Edmund Ironside. Born c.990. Became king after the deaths of his two elder brothers, although at the same time, the Danish Canute was chosen as king by opposition fac...

Person, Armed Forces, Royalty

1 memorial
Victor J. Whitaker

Victor J. Whitaker

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

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
T. W. Disbrey

T. W. Disbrey

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

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Chas. Hook

Chas. Hook

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

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Pioneer Health Centre

Pioneer Health Centre

Founded by doctors George Scott Williamson and Innes Pearse as an integral part of  the 'Peckham Experiment', the area being chosen because of its deprivation. Nine hundred and fifty local families...

Building, Community / Clubs, Education

1 memorial
Imperial College

Imperial College

Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine is an independent constituent part of the University of London. On 8 July 1907, King Edward VII granted a Royal Charter establishing the Imperi...

Group, Education, Race Issues

5 memorials
Whitgift School

Whitgift School

Founded by John Whitgift. It was originally located in North End, Croydon and moved to its current site, Haling Park in 1931. Between 1871 and 1946 it was known as Whitgift Grammar School, after wh...

Building, Education

1 memorial
Arthur 'Peggy' Bettinson

Arthur 'Peggy' Bettinson

Co-founder National Sporting Club. Born Arthur Frederick Bettinson at 8 Edward (now Aquila) Street, Marylebone. Brought up in Hampstead. Keen sportsman. 1882 became the British Amateur Boxing Assoc...

Person, Sport / Games

1 memorial