Old War Office Building

Overcrowded in Pall Mall, the War Office relocated east of Whitehall in 1896. Designed by William Young, completed by Clyde Young and Sir John Taylor, the Edwardian Baroque structure was built between 1899 and 1906, using 26,000 tons of stone with a 30-foot-deep concrete foundation. Its west front featured Ionic columns and sculptures representing Peace, War, Truth, Justice, Fame, and Victory.

During World War I, the War Office expanded rapidly. Space shortages led to the creation of the "Zeppelin Terrace", a rooftop extension. By 1919, the office operated across 52 buildings, including hotels and annexes.

In the 1930s, basement reinforcements were added for air raid protection.

During World War II, staff worked around the clock, sheltering only during nearby bombings. An October 1940 air raid killed one person but caused minimal damage.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Lennard Bolijn