Albert Allick Bowlly was a
Mozambican-born South African/British vocalist who was popular during the 1930s
in England. He recorded more than 1,000 songs. On April 16, 1941, Bowlly had
given a performance at the Rex Cinema in Oxford Street, High Wycombe. He was offered
an overnight stay in town, but Bowlly took the last train home to his flat at
32 Duke Street, Duke's Court, St James, London. He was killed by a Luftwaffe
parachute mine that detonated outside his flat at ten past three in the night.
His body appeared unmarked. Although the explosion had not disfigured him, it
had blown his bedroom door off its hinges, and the impact against his head was
fatal.