Fascist Flag over Westminster - Sir Oswald Mosley launches
the British Union of Fascists at 1 Great George Street, London
the British Union of Fascists at 1 Great George Street, London
The B.U.F.s first National Headquarters was opened at 1 Great George Street, Westminster on October 1 1932. [1] Some twenty five members were present at the opening. It was a five storey building on the corner of Great George Street and Princes Street. The words 'BRITISH UNION OF FASCISTS' in large letters were emblazoned across the full width of the building. A board above the entrance encouraged people to join the movement. The building is unrecognisable today due to extensive alterations.
The B.U.F. were still at Great George Street in February 1933 when the first issue of their newspaper The Blackshirt was published. During the Easter holidays, in April 1933, for reasons not stated, the B.U.F. moved out of Great George Street to new Headquarters at 12 Lower Grosvenor Place, London, S.W.1. The new premises were much too small and the move was meant to be temporary.
12 Lower Grosvenor Place, Westminster,
the second National Headquarters of the B.U.F (Click to enlarge)
the second National Headquarters of the B.U.F (Click to enlarge)
12 Lower Grosvenor Place, Westminster in August 2012 - little has changed
Due to the lack of space at the new Headquarters, in June 1933 the B.U.F. opened a branch at 233 Regent Street, Westminster.
Left - advert from Blackshirt, June 24, 1933.
The new branch, under the supervision of Lady Ester Makgill, was the headquarters of the Women's Section of the movement. The ground floor of the new premises was fitted with a recruiting office for men and women. There was also a bookshop which sold Fascist literature and B.U.F. clothing.
Lady Makgill was later suspended for embezzlement and resigned. She was replaced in 1934 by the former suffragette Mary Richardson, known for slashing Velázquez's famous painting the Rokeby Venus in the National Gallery.
Lady Makgill was later suspended for embezzlement and resigned. She was replaced in 1934 by the former suffragette Mary Richardson, known for slashing Velázquez's famous painting the Rokeby Venus in the National Gallery.
(near the intersection with Hannover Street), London, 1933.
The Black House, N.H.Q. of the B.U.F. (image - Youtube)
In August 1933 the B.U.F. purchased the lease to Whitelands House, a former Women's Training College on the Kings Road, Chelsea. The new National Headquarters became known as the Black House and it contained extensive offices, dormitories, gyms, dining hall, mess room and parade ground. Also based at the Black House was the "I" Squad - the full time mobile defence force commanded by Eric Hamilton Piercy.
From January 1934, Blackshirt no longer mentions the premises at Lower Grosvenor Place or Regent street. It seems likely that they were closed down at the end of 1933 and that The Black House became the main centre of operations.
From January 1934, Blackshirt no longer mentions the premises at Lower Grosvenor Place or Regent street. It seems likely that they were closed down at the end of 1933 and that The Black House became the main centre of operations.
The B.U.F. remained at The Black House until June 1935 [2] when they moved to offices at Sanctuary Buildings in Great Smith Street, Westminster. These were retained until the Movement was banned in 1940.
As for the Black House, the building was demolished and replaced by flats in 1935.
Sanctuary Buildings, 16 Great Smith Street, Westminster.
B.U.F. National Headquarters - Summary
1 Great George Street, Westminster
October 1932 - April 1933
12 Lower Grosvenor Place, Westminster
April 1933 - ?
The Black House, 33 Kings Road, Chelsea
August 1933 - June 1935
Sanctuary Buildings, 16 Great Smith Street, Westminster
June 1935 - 1940 when the B.U.F. was banned
Branch Headquarters, 233 Regent Street, Westminster
June 1933 - ?
References:
References:
[1] Blackshirt, History of N.H.Q., Feb.9, 1934
[2] Blackshirt, The Last Day, June 28, 1935
