| Original caption: “A British Flag lies among the rubble of homes smashed by the Camberwell Road rocket explosion. V-bomb damage.” On December 17, 1944, a Vergeltungswaffe 2 (V-2; “Vengeance Weapon 2”) Aggregat-4 (A-4; “Assembly 4”), guided rocket came down at the intersection of Albany Road and Bagshot Street in Camberwell. This was the 2nd deadliest attack in the area. The London SE5 Area, Camberwell, was to be struck by 15 V-1s and 2 V-2s, causing major damage to the district. 86 people were killed as a result, and scores more were injured. The incident report indicates: “It fell on open ground on the West side of Bagshot Street, behind the buildings occupied by Messieurs White Mineral Water. This factory was damaged beyond repair. The V-2 caused a crater 30 feet (9 meters) across and 10 feet (3 meters) deep. 27-floor terrace cottages, about a 100 years old at the time, were demolished. 12 to 15 other houses were damaged beyond repair. The blast was widespread and caused damage to shop premises and dwelling houses within a radius of 400 yards (365 meters). All Anderson Shelters in the area of the crater were badly damaged. The Long Range Rocket fell on the border of Camberwell and Southwark. It is noted that very little cooperation existed between the 2 incident officers. The buildings in the Southwark area had been previously bombed, and many were empty. The initial death toll was 12. 60 were injured and taken to Kings and Saint Giles, and 3 of these died. 20 had slight injuries. 2 persons were missing, presumed trapped, but were dead. Casualties included Homemaker Ellen A. Collins (December 8, 1916 – December 17, 1944) and her child John D. Collins (1941 – December 17, 1944), at 130 Albany Road; Homemaker Rose E. Church (September 29, 1889 – December 17, 1944) at 66 Bagshot Street; World War I Royal Army veteran Tanner Alfred C. Farmer (June 30, 1894 – December 17, 1944), Student Beatrice R. Farmer (June 11, 1931 – December 17, 1944), Homemaker Jessie A. Donovan Farmer (November 20, 1920 – December 17, 1944), who was buried on December 22, 1944, Fancy Goods Maker Joyce Farmer (April 25, 1925 – December 17, 1944), June R. Farmer (1941 – December 17, 1944) the daughter of George And Jessie Farmer, who was buried December 22, 1944; all of 58 Bagshot Street; Boat Repairer Albert E. Fisher (July 1, 1903 – December 17, 1944), at 62 Bagshot Street; Lathe operator Emily E. Waters (November 3, 1908 – December 17, 1944), Canner Emily R. Ebdy (February 28, 1886 – December 17, 1944), Dockworker John E. Waters (October 16, 1907 – December 17, 1944) all at 64 Bagshot Street; and stationery storekeeper Elsie V. Chambers Webster (April 24, 1898 – December 17, 1944), at 126 Albany Road. The area today is totally transformed as it forms part of Burgess Park. Today’s Burgess Park was hit by 3 V-1s and the Bagshot Street V-2, causing extensive damage. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0954.jpg |
| Image Size | 823.54 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2226 x 2898 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Office of War Information |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 18, 1944 |
| Location | Camberwell |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-226-FPL-VBD(13) |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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