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Thurstons Billiards House, Leicester Square - Bombed - 1940
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Thurstons Billiards House, Leicester Square - Bombed - 1940
The bombed out remains of Thurstons Billiard House on Leicester Square during the Blitz on London, WWII. The corner building was hit by a parachute mine at 3:30am on 16th October 1940. One of the player name plates being examined is that of the legendary British professional snooker and English billiards player Joe Davis (1901-1978). Thurstons was completely destroyed and several taxis parked outside were wrecked. Heavy debris fell into Panton Street, blocking it. Other name plates of top Billards players (pictured here) include: Horace Lindrum, Melbourne Inman, Walter Donaldson, Fred Davis and Sidney Smith. Date: 1940
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Media ID 11561590
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Blitz Bomb Bombed Bombing Donaldson Fred Horace Inman Leicester Melbourne Picking Raid Ruin Shattered Sidney Signs Walter Smith
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This evocative photograph captures the devastating aftermath of the bombing of Thurstons Billiard House on Leicester Square during the Second World War. The image, taken circa 1940, shows the ruins of the corner building following a parachute mine explosion at 3:30am on 16th October 1940. The iconic sign of Thurstons Billiards, a popular destination for snooker and English billiards players, lies in shambles amidst the rubble. Among the debris, one can see the name plates of some of the top billiards players of the time, including Joe Davis, Horace Lindrum, Melbourne Inman, Walter Donaldson, Fred Davis, and Sidney Smith. Davis, a British professional snooker and English billiards player, was a legendary figure in the world of billiards. Thurstons Billiard House was completely destroyed in the bombing raid, and several taxis parked outside were also wrecked. Heavy debris fell into Panton Street, blocking it. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the destruction wrought by the Blitz on London during the Second World War. The historical significance of this image lies in its depiction of the impact of war on everyday life and the enduring legacy of the names of the great billiards players of the era.
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