The Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Handbook for 1928 explained that ‘From Tadema Road to Lots Road, S.W.10, Ashburnham Road, commemorates Ashburnham House, built in the middle of the 18th century by Dr. Benhamin Hoadley an eminent physician.
Second World War
There were two serious incidents causing loss of life and severe damage to buildings in this road during the Blitz of the Second World War.
On Wednesday the 9th of October 1940 a high explosive bomb, obviously targeted for the Lots Road Power station, struck the grocers and off-licence shop at ‘Ideal Stores’ 21 Ashburnham Road and the blast caused severe casualties. Six people died.
The bomb also demolished the adjoining houses, numbers 37, 39 and 41 in Stadium Street.
The rescue of those still alive trapped in the debris was made more harrowing as a fierce fire broke out.
Irene Haslewood said the bomb which dropped on Stadium Street had been a 2,000 lb munition and had been a really good shot for the Lots Road Power Station but not quite good enough.
Instead it annihilated a row of very modest little houses and the area’s corner shop run by Albert and Kitty McKay.
Air raid incidents often generated the appalling dilemma of rescuing trapped victims and/or putting out the fire. What should have been the priority?
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