Apollo Place

Second World War

There were two incidents in Apollo Place during the Blitz of the Second World War. A high explosive bomb landed but did not explode during a raid on 14th October 1940.

There was a large evacuation of people to enable a bomb disposal squad to deal with it.

Fortunately, it was defused and removed without causing damage which would have meant the buildings present now would have most likely been destroyed.

A Bomb Disposal Squad Digging Out an Unexploded Bomb © IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 4979)

On the 11th May 1941 an incendiary bomb landed on the roof of number 2 Apollo Place causing a fire which was successfully put out by the Auxiliary Fire Service.

Images in slideview at the top of the posting

1. Apollo Place looking out towards Cheyne Walk and Embankment. Google Steet view 2023.

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Special thanks to Karen White and Chris Pain whose families lived in Chelsea during World War Two and Malachy John McCauley, also brought up in Chelsea, who have very kindly encouraged and assisted my research. Special thanks to Marja Giejgo for editorial assistance. Research and archive facilities from Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council library services, The Imperial War Museum and National Archives at Kew.

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