| Original caption: “London has its biggest raid of the war. Fire bombs and high explosives rained on the capital for many hours. A building completely wrecked after last night’s all night raid. New York Times Paris Bureau Collection.” At around 1205 Hours on April 17, 1941, a parachute mine hit and destroyed a house at 75 Eccleston Square SW1. Number 75 belonged to the family of Frederick Griffith (1879 – April 17, 1941), who was killed along with his colleague William McDonald Scott (1884 – April 17, 1941), noted bacteriologists, and the resident housekeeper, Clara E. Broughton (January 18, 1882 – April 17, 1941). Griffith’s niece, Kathleen (October 24, 1908 – August 2, 1966) who was also staying at 75 Eccleston Square at the time, survived. Scott had just recently returned from Malaya as Senior Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health. The adjoining Guildhouse on Belgrave Road, in this photo, was severely damaged. The Guildhouse, built in 1848 as the Eccleston Square Congregational Church and converted into an ecumenical centre in 1921, was being used as a refugee and homeless reception post. Shrapnel from the mine’s explosion also hit several buildings in the surrounding area. 1 Air Raid Precautions (ARP) rescue team immediately responded from Hammersmith and police requested a 2nd team 20 minutes later. Several ambulances were sent out: 2 at 0100, 1 at 0126 Hours, and a final ambulance arrived at 0320 Hours. People were reported trapped within the wreckage, but the authorities were unsure of the number. Belgrave Road, Eccleston Square and Warwick Way were closed to traffic at around 0200 Hours. Belgrave Road was piled with debris and what remained of the Guildhouse (its facade and classical portico) was deemed unstable. It would be several hours before the streets were able to reopen. Another light rescue party was requested at 0259 Hours to help with the recovery process. All rescue parties remained on site until 0645 Hours. The ARP requested a mortuary van to attend the scene at around 0650 Hours. At 0805 Hours a message requested relief for the rescue team from Hammersmith (Lime Grove). They were allowed to leave. Rescue party number 15 (from Endell Park Depot in Hammersmith) was sent to the Savoy and Adelphi Depot. 1 other team remained on site to assist police. Moments later the police found a body in the rubble and also requested mortuary vans. At this point it began to rain heavily and recovery efforts stalled. A further message reported water pouring through the wreckage and requested ropes and lamps to assist with the recovery of survivors and bodies. Over the next few hours 3 more bodies were found. During the rescue workers also spotted people on the tower of the Guildhouse. Workers were sent to find escape ladders to get these survivors down. They had been alone in the ruined building for over 16 hours. After they were helped to safety they were immediately taken to hospital. Recovery efforts continued for several days. On May 3, rescue parties at the site left a fire burning. The building again burst into flames. The police responded quickly, and a fire engine was sent to the Guildhouse and extinguished the fire swiftly. No 1 was reported harmed. City of Westminster ARP reports later confirmed a final total of 5 people killed in the Guildhouse incident. The Guildhouse site was redeveloped in 1958. Today it houses government and charity offices at 11 Belgrave Road. The deaths of the occupants of 75 Eccleston Square SW1 were listed as April 16, 1941. | |
| Image Filename | wwii2017.jpg |
| Image Size | 985.55 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2250 x 2892 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | April 17, 1941 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-306-NT-901(71) |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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