Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital

16 September 1940

By Katlynn Miller

At 2:25am, 16 September 1940, a high explosive bomb struck close to Queen Alexandra’s Military Hospital (QAMH) on Bulinga (today Bulinca) Street, Millbank SW1. The blast carved out a large crater in Bulinga Street and caused serious damage to one section of the 1905 hospital.

Parts of one wing of Queen Alexandra’s were ripped open to the elements and debris was blown across Bulinga Street. The street was roped off and closed. No casualties were reported but the wall of the nearby Tate Gallery was destroyed.

Local coal gas and water mains were also damaged: the Rescue Service reported escaping coal gas soon after the bomb struck. A fire was discovered within a half an hour of the incident and dealt with by the fire brigade.

Later that day, the German pilot of a Dornier Do17 bomber - brought down over Victoria Station on 15 September, by RAF Sgt Pilot Ray Holmes – died of his wounds in Queen Alexandra’s. Today, parts of the former buildings of QAMH are occupied by departments of the Tate Gallery.