When the bombs were raining down on London, the wealthy could retire to safety in the country or, as the government liked to illustrate in a misguided effort to raise morale, were socialising and partying as normal in West End venues (many of which had reinforced basement clubs). The ordinary Londoner had no other option than to stay put, faced with pitifully inadequate provisions for shelter from the air raids.
On September 15, 1940, around 100 people pushed their way into the Savoy hotel demanding shelter; an air raid alert sounded and they refused to leave until the all-clear was heard. They had made their point. Tube stations had become popular places to shelter, but they were not without danger, as bombs hit Balham, Bounds Green and Bank, where 50 people were killed by a direct hit on the ticket hall. Mickey Davis' actions helped to bring about a change in government thinking on protection of the public.
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