Savile Row W1

You report that several Policemen were rported hurt. May I please correct/expand this:

I would like to add that three Police Officers were killed and a further twenty two were injured in that incident.

West End Central Police Station had opened on 14th July 1940. Consequently, it was open for only for about ten weeks. At The time of opening, it was regarded as the most modern Police Station in the world!

I believe my Granfather lived here during time of the bombing and his flat was damaged. His name was Stanley Ogden. Not sure what rank but he later went on to run Isle of Man internment camp. I have photo of my grandmother looking down from the roof onto damage.

I would just like to add that the bomb that feel on No7 savile row at number 8 was a tailoring firm called Sandon & Co was very badly damaged, how I know is that my father worked for them most of his working life from the age of 16 as a coat maker, also he had 7 brothers & sisters there I also worked for sandons myself for a few years

My Grandad Robert Errington worked there until the 1970's.

I am researching Sandon and Co tailors as I have a suit that they made in October 1939. Barry Bayliss this could be something your farther worked on. 

Claire Hart

While going through an old box of buttons, I have come across buttons monogrammed RFH or possibly PFH. These are stamped Sandon and Co. Savile Row. 

My grandfather Henry Sandon owned Sandon tailoring at the time of the bombings,his wife Elizabeth, daughters Phylis & Vera also worked in it, my father Charles was too young but would often tell us how he remembered them pressing out the shape of riding jodhpurs. The uniform worn by the then Princess Elizabeth when she was doing voluntary work during the war, made by Sandon Tailoring is on view at the war museum in London which I visited last year, very emotional.Lovely to read the article that there were people who remembered that time in history as unfortunately, I only knew my grandfather for a very short time.

Dear Helen Errington, Both my parents Ivy Button and Gerald Butcher Started at Sandons. My Mother at the age of 14 in 1945. My Grandfather, Frank Butcher, also worked there as a coat maker. Although, luckily they were not there for the bombing they both knew your grandfather. My Mum described him as a gentleman. I lovely polite man and pleasure to work with. Both my parents worked in the room under the main cuttingroom.

My Grandfather, Frank Truscott Collins was one of the policemen killed

Dear Jo Hare, thank you so much for your lovely comments about my grandad he really enjoyed working at Sanden‘s and often spoke of people he worked with there! I presume (hopefully not) that your parents have passed on, if on, if not I hope they’re in the best of health. I’m sorry for the delay in reading this I hadn’t looked at this website for a long time I just looked today! There wouldn’t be any photographs that they may have kept of Sandons and people working there with there? Best wishes Helen Errington 

I am researching a book on an Indian officer who was a POW in Italy and Germany in WW2. He was repatriated via UK and in his logbook he had five pages of where to shop and eat in London. Amongst the Saville Row tailors is listed Sandon & Co for breeches. He did not know that the premises had been bombed. Thanks to all for the useful information. 

I am the nephew of Barry Baylis above, my mother has a set of buttons that were passed to my Grandad (Barry's dad) who worked at Sandons, they were for Edward VIII Hunts Coat for when he would have been crowned. They are obviously quite rare and unique, as he never was crowned! Not sure of the value.

Claire Anning

COLLINS Frank Truscott PS CID 2nd Class C Div 25/9/40, aged 34 years. He was injured at West End Central Police Station, he died later the same day at St. George's Hospital. 

He joined the Metropolitan Police on 7/3/27. Wt No 116192.

He lived at 6 Bramley Mansions, Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey. He was born on 3/4/06, the son of George Prideaux Collins and Katie Roderick Collins, of Trevone, Herbert Road, New Milton, Hampshire. after completing his education in Bournemouth Collegiate he went to New Zealand where he farmed for 2 years. In 1932  he married Katie May Roderick. They had two sons George Martyn aged 3 years and Stephen aged 2.