39 Bow Street WC2

8 October 1940

By James Ramey

At 7.24pm on 8 October 1940 a high explosive bomb fell on 39 Bow Street (Marquis of Anglesey Wine and Spirits Store), a 17th century public house rebuilt in 1908 and surmounted by five private flats. The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Duchess Theatre and Covent Garden and was reported at 8.33pm to the Holborn Control Centre. A rescue squad was dispatched and arrived at the scene ten minutes later, determining that the water main had been damaged. A single casualty was discovered. On the same night another bomb fell between Bow Street and The Wellington pub. Two casualties were reported. Both incidents forced the temporary closure of Catherine Street and Russell Street.

The Blitz had been underway for just over a month. Night raids were relentless, keeping the people of London in a state of constant tension and fear. During October:

“The sombre dark alleys around Covent Garden blazed with a theatrical daylight" (The Blitz:Westminster at War, William Sansom, 1947).

Food vendors in Covent Garden continued the indomitable British spirit of keeping their market stalls and stands open despite the bombings during the Blitz, trying for some semblance of normal life. In the midst of falling bombs and watching many of their fellow vendors and workers perish they continued to stand firm against the Luftwaffe. 

In 2011 Covent Garden unveiled a memorial statue to commemorate the market workers who died in both world wars. The memorial stone is located in the pavement in front of the Grade II market building in the gardens. The stone reads,"For Your Tomorrow We Gave Our Today." 

Today, 39 Bow Street is still home to the (renamed) Marquess of Anglesey pub and restaurant, serving traditional British pub food. Many people dine at the Restaurant before attending the theatre.