"On this day, 8 September 1946, numerous empty properties were squatted by homeless ex-servicemen and their families in London in a wave of occupations across the country. 148 luxury flats in the Duchess of Bedford House in Kensington were squatted, as was a block in Weymouth Street, Marylebone, as well as houses in Campden Hill and Holland Park. In the coming days, more properties would be taken over around the city. Taken by surprise, police at the Duchess of Bedford House reportedly expressed sympathy for the families and arranged for a Women's Voluntary Service to bring them hot drinks. But in subsequent occupations this did not recur and police took action like preventing supplies being brought to families and dispersing supporters with violence. Meanwhile, the Labour health minister, Aneurin Bevan, instructed local authorities to cut off gas and electricity to squatted premises. On September 20, a High Court injunction was issued against all of the London squats, and the occupier...