Back in London
Damage to King's College London quad from 8 October 1940 bombing Volunteer air raid wardens drawn from the administrative staff protected the King's buildings in the Strand.
The wardens needed to be alert: in October 1940, a bomb fell in the quad, drilling out a crater some twenty-seven feet deep and fifty eight feet long.
The closest the College came to serious damage was late in the war when a V2 rocket fell harmlessly in the river, only damaging windows and doors.
Despite these setbacks, it was decided that medical students should resume residence in London in the autumn of 1942, and the Bristol students a year later.
Life at King's was gloomy and austere. Male students and staff were expected to assist in fire lookout and as volunteer porters. Women students were likewise expected to help in the canteen at a time when the number of meals being provided was limited by rationing to a total of 350 a day for a student population of over 1000.
Peace in 1945 left the College community weary but undaunted and counting the unique cost in the Roll of Honour recording the sacrifice of 158 students and staff.
In this exhibition
- London life 1828-1880s
- Wider college
- Women
- Academic Life
- College at War
- Evacuation
- Back in London
- Teaching
- Heroes & villains
- Providing a different vision
- Social and community work