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

Frank A. Smith

Frank A. Smith

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

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
T. J. Leverentz

T. J. Leverentz

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

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
M. P. Webster

M. P. Webster

Resident of Willesden who volunteered and died in the Anglo Boer War, 1899-1900.

Person, Armed Forces, South Africa

War dead, Other war
1 memorial
E. Sears

E. Sears

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
Corporal Frederick John Russell Fishley

Corporal Frederick John Russell Fishley

Frederick John Russell Fishley was born 11 May 1887 in West Brompton, London, the eldest of the four children of Frederick Davay Fishley (1865-1915) and Sarah Jane Fishley née Russell (1866-1932). ...

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial

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Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria

Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria

Shortly before this event, in September 1896 Victoria had become the longest-reigning monarch in British history, beating George III, the previous holder. Victoria reigned 1837 - 1901, 64 years.

Event, Royalty

8 memorials
Portman Estate

Portman Estate

Wikipedia has a very useful map showing "Estate (freehold) ownership of land in Central London as of 2023". The Portman Estate is shown in yellow.

Group, Property

3 memorials
Turk's Head Charity

Turk's Head Charity

From the Picture source website: "The Turk’s Head was bought from the Council and renovated by our charity in 1992. Now it provides a café and affordable workspace and the rental income pays our ch...

Group, Community / Clubs, Food & Drink

2 memorials
Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society

Paddington Waterways and Maida Vale Society

Conservation Society. Founded by Colonel Peter Flower and Lord Norwich.It has successfully opposed several unsympathetic building schemes in the area.

Group, Community / Clubs

1 memorial
Lord Denman

Lord Denman

Thomas Denman was born on 23 February 1779 in London, the eldest son of Dr Thomas Denman (1733-1815) and Elizabeth Denman née Brodie (1746-1833). His life is described in his Wikipedia page which ...

Person, Law

1 memorial