On 17 April 1941, Bowlly and Messene had just given a performance at the Rex Cinema in Oxford Street, High Wycombe, now demolished. Both were offered the opportunity of an overnight stay in the town, but Bowlly opted to take the last train home to his flat at 32 Duke Street, Duke's Court, St James, London. His decision proved to be fatal, as he was killed by a Luftwaffe parachute mine that detonated outside his flat later that evening.[4] His body appeared unmarked: although the massive explosion had not disfigured him, it had blown his bedroom door off its hinges and the impact against his head proved fatal. He was buried with other bombing victims in a mass grave at what is today known as Hanwell Cemetery, Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, where his name is given as Albert Alex Bowlly. Al Bowlly - Wikipedia The Death of the Crooner Al Bowlly: 17 April 1941. | BOWLLY, ALBERT ALEX Rank: Civilian Date of Death: 16/04/1941 Age: 43 Regiment/Service: Civilian War Dead Reporting Authority: WESTMINSTER CITY Additional Information: of Duke's Court, 32 Duke's Street, St. James's. Died at Duke's Court, Duke's Street.
[= Rex Cinema in High Wycombe, GB - Cinema Treasures I took these this morning in Oxford Street, High Wycombe. Al Bowlly mentioned at bottom of link. January 2014.
http://www.terramedia.co.uk/fisherscircle/stair_cupboard/al_bowlly.htm http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9578014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Bowlly On this particular evening Al Bowlly was appearing in High Wycombe, he was offered to spend the night there but decided to catch the last train back to London.....
I remember the name - my Dad used to talk about him. Dad also admired Charlie Kunz, a jazz pianist, and modelled his piano-playing style on Charlie's.
