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Bomb Map Record

Bomb Map Record of Incidents in the City of Westminster 1940-1945

By Camilla Bergman

Westminster City Archives has in its possession probably the most detailed Local Authority bomb map in existence in this country. As part of the development of the West End at War website, the bomb map has now been digitised, making it more available to the public.

Every single bombing incident which occurred in Westminster during the Second World War, including famous incidents such as the bombing of Buckingham Palace and Guards' Chapel, is marked on the Westminster Bomb Map and cross-referenced to Westminster's complete collection of paper-based records kept by individual Air Raid Warden (ARP) posts across the city during the Second World War.

Uniquely, Westminster City Archives not only has detailed reports of each incident located on the map, but photographs of the damage which resulted. No other local archive has such an extensive collection linked to one of the pivotal phases of the war.

Map Record of Incidents in the City of Westminster

Enlarged area from the Westminster Bomb Map

Key to bomb incidents

This page was added by Camilla Bergman on 19/08/2010.

Comments about this page

Will the large sized digital bomb map be available at all and will there be any reprints for sale to public? Many thanks,

By Martin Morrow
On 08/09/2010

Thank you for your query. Unfortunately we don't have a large size print of the bomb map as it is very large and is on 3 x A2 panels. However Westminster Archives do sell A3 prints for £15.00, however, because of the scale of the map you will lose alot of the detail of individual incidents but it is still an amazing map and well worth it. You can also visit Westminster Archives to view the map properly. Please visit http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/archives/services/ to find out more information on the digital printing available at Westminster Archives.

By Camilla Bergman
On 08/09/2010

Further to the query above, are there any plans to provide more enlarged areas of this map online? My grandmother was killed by a bomb while in her residence on Circus Road, and I would like to try to find out more about this. (I can't go to visit this map in person, as I live in Canada.)

By Carol Reid
On 23/12/2010

Are the blitz archives open to the public? If so, what is their location? Many thanks, TG

By Tony Geraghty
On 26/11/2010

What exactly do the red symbols mean? I lived at 33 Sussex St which is between Sutherland and Cumberland Streets. According to the map this area received three hits. We were forced to move out because of the blast damage caused by the V1 rocket which hit Winchester St on 30 June 1944. Could those three circles represent unexploded bombs? The other circles tie in with my recollection of bombed sites. I hope you can help Regards John Urquhart

By john Urquhart
On 23/12/2010

Thank you for your comment the red circles represent actual exploded bombs. I have now attached a key to the symbols on the bomb map part of the website, which I hope you will find useful.

By Camilla Bergman
On 23/12/2010

The bomb map and civil defence records are available for the public to see at the Archives Centre which is open to the public Tuesday to Thursday 10am-7pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm.

The address is 10, St Ann's Street, London SW1P 2DE. Telephone: 0207 641 5180

By Camilla Bergman
On 23/12/2010

From my birth in 1940 to 1945 I lived on Dyott Street ,in the St. Giles area slightly east of the upper Charing Cross Road Westminister boundary. Is it possible the source for your bomb map data could provide identical information (with photos and official reports) for the adjoining St. Giles Village? Perhaps you have some on file as my home was so close to Westminister you may have overlapping records. What information on this period is available at St. Anns?

By Pierre Ruette
On 03/05/2011

Further. I discovered a London Metropolitan Archive web site which catalogues Bomb Damage maps like Westminister's. But only viewable at their location not on line . As I live in Florida nowadays it will be some time before I can get to their Clerkenwell address to look for myself. However, I will quiz their information desk with my request. If Carmine has any relevant information to add I 'd appreciate it.

By Pierre Charles Ruette
On 04/05/2011

Do you have a bomb damage map for the Marylebone area?

By Tom
On 14/07/2011

Westminster City Archives does not hold a bomb map for the Marylebone area. However we do hold incident reports, which we hope to include on the site.

By Camilla Bergman
On 14/07/2011

It is important to distinguish between Bomb PLOT Maps - which this is, ie a contemoraneous ARP record, and Bomb DAMAGE Maps which show the extent of damage to buildings, and were compiled after the war. The latter have been published for the whole LCC area by the London Topographical Society.

By Wolstan Dixie
On 03/08/2011

i am trying to locate the address of my grandparents and 2 aunts who were killed in the blitz,i am unable to find any information.all i really know is it was 20-9-1940.close to shoreditch station.any information will be greatly appreciated.

By linda
On 14/05/2013