These photos of WW2 bomb damage in London are from a collection of newspaper and magazine articles published in England during World War Two. My late grandfather gave these to me as he knew I was interested in London history.
The History of Conference Hall, West Ham Lane, London in the 1940s
Conference Hall was a prominent building in West Ham Lane, Stratford, that served as a venue for various events and activities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was also a symbol of Non-conformity in West Ham, as it was built as an outcome of the visit of the American revivalists Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in 1884. The hall had a seating capacity of 1,600 and hosted musical festivals, men’s meetings, lectures and concerts.
The Impact of World War Two on Conference Hall
Unfortunately, Conference Hall did not survive the Second World War. It was destroyed during Hitler’s deluge of fire-bombs on May 10-11, 1941. This was part of the Blitz, a series of aerial attacks by Nazi Germany on Britain that lasted from September 1940 to May 1941. London was one of the main targets of the Luftwaffe (German air force), and suffered heavy damage and casualties.
Conference Hall was one of the many buildings that were hit by incendiary bombs during the night raid on May 10-11. The fire spread quickly and engulfed the hall in flames. The next day, only a charred skeleton remained of what was once a lively and popular place.
The Resilience of Queen Mary’s Hospital
On the right side of both pictures below is Queen Mary’s Hospital for the East End (now Newham University Hospital), which was also affected by the bombing raids. It was actually the first London hospital to be bombed by Hitler on September 7, 1940. Two wards were demolished and six patients and two nurses were killed.
Despite this tragedy and many subsequent attacks that damaged parts of the hospital building and grounds (including one that hit its temporary kitchens), Queen Mary’s Hospital continued to function throughout the war. It treated hundreds of casualties from both civilian and military backgrounds (including some German prisoners) and delivered over 1,000 babies in its midwifery wing in 1944.
The hospital staff showed remarkable courage and dedication in dealing with the challenges posed by war conditions. They also managed to extinguish dozens of fire-bombs that landed on their premises with minimal equipment.
The Legacy of Conference Hall
Although Conference Hall was never rebuilt after its destruction in 1941, it remains a part of West Ham’s history and heritage. It is commemorated by a plaque on West Ham Lane that reads:
“Conference Hall
1884 – Destroyed by enemy action
May 11th -12th
1941″
The site where it once stood is now occupied by modern buildings that serve various purposes such as offices and shops.
Conference Hall may be gone but it is not forgotten by those who remember its role in West Ham’s cultural and religious life before World War Two.
Centre for Stratford Musical Festival, for the Men’s Meeting, and of Non-conformity in West Ham, the Conference Hall, West Ham Lane, was destroyed during Hitler’s deluge of fire-bombs on May 10-11, 1941. Built in 1884 as an outcome of the visit of the American revivalists, Moody and Sankey, it had a large hall seating 1,600, and smaller halls.
On the right in both pictures is Queen Mary’s Hospital for the East End, first London hospital bombed by Hitler. Two wards were demolished on September 7, 1940, six patients and two nurses killed.
During the night the Conference Hall burned the hospital had 61 fire-bombs, all dealt with successfully by a heroic nursing and medical staff. Hitler hit this hospital many times, and temporary kitchens are functioning now amid ruins.
Yet, not only did the hospital deal throughout the raids with hundreds of casual ties, but in 1944 it brought into the world in its midwifery wing over 1,000 babies.
As a small child in 1965, I was a patient there. As I was seriously ill, I was put in a side room. The window of the room was west facing and overlooked the bombed ruins. There was a mangled fire escape on the wall.
One day it seemed to me that the sun was painfully bright but I could clearly see the silhouette of a woman standing on the fire escape, she was wearing a long skirt and was waving at me. I waved back and a concerned nurse intervened.
I have never forgotten her, and despite my young age and illness at that time, I am utterly convinced of the reality of my experience.
I have tried to find the names of those that died but so far no luck.