37 Conduit Street W1

2 October 1940

By James Ramey

On 2 October 1940 at around 4.20am a high explosive bomb hit the courtyard behind 37 Conduit Street W1, premises operated by Kenneth Durward Ltd, just off Regent Street. The explosion blew the front off the shop and damaged a coal gas main. Piles of debris forced the police to cordon off Conduit Street. At first, the bomb was believed to be a delayed-action type, but when the site was re-examined by City of Westminster ARP wardens in daylight it was determined a bomb had exploded on impact. No casualties were reported. By 5.11am ARP wardens and police confirmed the incident had been closed.

From October 1940 Hermann Goering, head of the German air force, shifted his offensive strategy away from daylight bombing. The official reason given was the coming of autumn weather and the change in wind patterns affecting bomber operations. In reality the change in tactics was due to the heavy losses suffered by the Luftwaffe during September. Some daylight raids continued until 29 October but from then on raids took place exclusively at night.

On 17 July 1944 Conduit Street was again badly damaged in a V1 strike.

Today 37 Conduit Street is home to the Westbury Hotel.