Honouring Blitz Heroes: Firefighters Killed in 1940 Soho Bombing Remembered
Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman paid an emotional tribute today to seven Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) firefighters who died in a devastating German bombing in Soho 80 years ago.
Soho Sub-Station Bombed During Blitz
On 18 September 1940, just days into the Blitz, a deadly German bomb struck the AFS sub-station building on Rathbone Street, W1, flattening the structure and killing seven firefighters along with civilians sheltering there. Among the fallen was Stephen Clayman’s great-uncle, 31-year-old Myer Wand, a member of London’s Jewish East End community.
Brave Acts and Lasting Remembrance
The London Fire Brigade held a small memorial service amid Covid restrictions at the Rathbone Street site to honour the fallen heroes. A commemorative plaque will soon be unveiled outside the sub-station to mark their sacrifice and recall the harrowing events of that night.
The plaque will also recognise Harry Errington, an AFS firefighter awarded the George Cross by King George VI for rescuing comrades from the bombed-out garage basement. He is one of the few London firefighters to receive such a prestigious gallantry medal.
Family Legacy and Tribute to Emergency Workers
“Today, 80 years on from the terrible events that unfolded, we remember the sacrifice these firemen made and the gallantry they showed,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Clayman. “My great-uncle, Myer Wand, and his colleagues died as a result of the bombing’s devastation. The building still stands as a poignant reminder of the Blitz and the toll it took on London and its communities.”
“Myer Wand and Harry Errington were children of immigrants from Eastern Europe, who helped build London’s culture and resilience. Like modern emergency service workers, they walked towards danger to protect us all.”
LFB Borough Commander Rodney Vitalis added: “Remembering and recognising our history is incredibly important. The bravery of those who served at Soho Fire Station 80 years ago is inspiring, and this plaque is a fitting tribute to their memories.”
