Eaton Terrace SW1

11 May 1941

By Katlynn Miller

London was heavily raided on 19 April 1941 in retaliation for the British bombing of Berlin on 17 April. Then, on 10-11 May 1941, the last of the big raids of the 1940-1941 Blitz took place. Fewer parachute mines were dropped in this raid, but large numbers of high explosive and incendiary bombs falling on the capital nevertheless created a grave fire situation.

At 12.55 am on 11 May, a high explosive bomb was dropped in the vicinity of Eaton Terrace SW1, causing severe structural damage to numbers 103, 105, and 107.  Damage to gas mains also caused the outbreak of fire.  Due to previous incidents at 111 and 113 Eaton Terrace the same day, the gas company was already at the scene. Although no injuries were reported here, the Eaton Square trench shelters were hit twice, inflicting eleven casualties. Two people were killed, including the Mayor of Westminster, Councillor L.Eaton Smith, who had been visiting his borough's shelters.