Duke Street London
Location & Context
Duke Street, London was the location of a previous London flat where David Irving's family, particularly
Josephine Irving, lived from 1968 to her death in 1999.
Historical Significance
Josephine's Childhood Home (1968-1999)
Duke Street served as a long-term family residence:
- Duration: Josephine lived "a few yards away" from Grosvenor Square from 1968 to her untimely death in 1999
- Childhood memories: Josephine "played as a child and often spent her hours in" nearby Grosvenor Square
- Family significance: Represents 31 years of family life and memories
Loss Due to Financial Difficulties
By 2007, the Duke Street flat had been lost due to David Irving's financial difficulties following his Austrian imprisonment and legal costs.
Memorial Connection
Grosvenor Square Bench Memorial (2007)
The proximity of Duke Street to Grosvenor Square influenced DI's memorial planning for Josephine:
Memorial bench proposal (2007-05-30):
"I would like to pay for a memorial bench with a plaque in memory of my daughter Josephine, to be placed in Grosvenor Square; is this possible? I see that other such benches are there. She lived a few yards away in Duke Street from 1968 to her untimely death in 1999, and she played as a child and often spent her hours in the Square."
Royal Parks Response
The Royal Parks Authority approved the memorial concept:
- Bench type: "double sledge Oxford" bench in classic teak
- Proposed inscription: "Josephine Victoria de Stuyck Irving (1963-1999) spent her childhood here"
- Location: Grosvenor Square, in keeping with the square's character
Family Context
Duke Street represents a period of family stability and prosperity that was lost by 2007:
- Contrast with 2007: While Josephine enjoyed 31 years of stability at Duke Street, DI in 2007 faced housing instability and constant moves
- Geographic anchor: The flat provided proximity to central London cultural and social opportunities
- Family gatherings: Likely site of many family events and celebrations during Josephine's lifetime
Cross-References
Notable Quotes
Memorial bench proposal (2007-05-30):
"She lived a few yards away in Duke Street from 1968 to her untimely death in 1999, and she played as a child and often spent her hours in the Square."
Family significance:
"until we can find premises large enough to reunite my long suffering family" (2007-01-27)
Notes
Duke Street London represents both cherished family memories and painful financial losses for David Irving. While it provided 31 years of stability for Josephine and served as an anchor for family life, its loss by 2007 symbolized the broader destruction of family assets due to legal costs and imprisonment. The planned memorial bench in nearby Grosvenor Square represents an attempt to preserve and honor the family connection to this area of London despite the loss of the actual family property.