DAMAGED IN RAID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 126, 29 May 1944, Page 5

DAMAGED IN RAID

ST. JAMES’ PALACE London, May 26. A famous London Royal residence, St. James’ Palace, from which th? accession of many Kings has been proclaimed, narrowly escaped serious damage in a recent air raid on London. A bomb blew to pieces all lhe stained glass on the north side of the palace, the great mullioned windows of the Chapel Royal, and also the clock face on the north side of the tower. The Tapestry Room, in which King Charles I spent his last night alive, and the historic armour were slightly damaged. The Queen’s Chapel also suffered, as did the Princess Royal's private flat and the residences of the Royal household, including the apartments of Colonel Sir Piers Legh, Master of th? Household, who was slightly injured. Other famous buildings in the vicinity were damaged, including Clapham House, the former home of Pitt and Gladstone. King Street, St. James, which is the home of famous art dealers, many of whose premises were destroyed, was after the raid the scene of a treasure hunt when squads of workmen, using picks, shovels, penumatic drills, cranes, and grabs, searched among the debris for world-famed art treasures. Many of these were recovered, including Reynolds’ famous picture "The Boy Samuel.” Priceless porcelain, however, was lost, including some of the Ming Dynasty.