Events from the year 1941 in the United Kingdom. The year was dominated by the Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II, Second World War.

Incumbents

* Monarch of the United Kingdom, Monarch – George VI * Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister – Winston Churchill (Churchill War ministry, Coalition) * Parliament of the United Kingdom, Parliament – List of MPs elected in the 1935 United Kingdom general election, 37th

Events

* 9 January – Avro Manchester Mark III ''BT308'', prototype of the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber, first flies, from RAF Ringway. * 19 January – British troops attack Italy, Italian-held Eritrea. * 20 January – firewatching mandatory for business premises, to limit incendiary damage. * 21 January – the ''Morning Star (British newspaper)#The Daily Worker (1930–1966), Daily Worker'', newspaper of the Communist Party of Great Britain, is suppressed by the (Labour Party (UK), Labour) Home Secretary in the Churchill war ministry, Herbert Morrison (until September 1942) in view of its continuing pro-Soviet stance. * 21–22 January – Operation Compass#Tobruk, Battle of Tobruk: Australian and British forces attack and capture Tobruk (Libya) from the Italians. * 31 January – Josef Jakobs a German spy, parachutes into the village of Ramsey, Cambridgeshire; he breaks his ankle on landing and is immediately arrested. * 5 February – Air Training Corps formed. * 11 February – RMS Queen Elizabeth, RMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' begins her first voyage as a troopship, from Singapore. * 12 February – Reserve Constable Albert Alexander (police officer), Albert Alexander, a patient at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, becomes the first person treated with penicillin intravenously, by Howard Florey’s team. He reacts positively but there is insufficient supply of the drug to reverse his terminal infection. A successful treatment is achieved during May. * 19 February – "Three nights' Blitz" over Swansea, South Wales, begins. 230 are killed and 409 injured. * 2 March – John Gilbert Winant takes up post as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom in succession to Joseph P. Kennedy; he will serve for 5 years. * 11 March ** President of the United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Lend-Lease Act into United States law, allowing the country to supply military equipment to Britain. ** Luftwaffe air raids on Manchester cause extensive damage to the city, a notable casualty being Old Trafford football stadium, home of Manchester United F.C., Manchester United, which is severely damaged. * 13 March – Clydebank Blitz: bombing of Clydebank. 528 people die, 617 more are seriously injured, and hundreds more are injured by blast debris. Another 35,000 people are made homeless. * 15 March – Plymouth Blitz: bombing of Plymouth. 336 people lose their lives. * 27–29 March – Battle of Cape Matapan: Off the Peloponnesus coast in the Mediterranean, Royal Navy, British naval forces defeat those of Italy sinking five warships. * 15 April – Belfast Blitz: Belfast is heavily bombed, killing 900 and injuring 1,500. * 7 April – Budget Day: Chancellor of the Exchequer Kingsley Wood presents a Keynesian economics, Keynesian budget that increases taxes; for the first time in British history, a majority of the population is liable to Income Tax in the United Kingdom, income tax. * 18 April – heaviest London Blitz, air-raid of the year on London. * 21 April – Greece capitulates. British troops withdraw to Crete. * May ** The Ministry of Information (United Kingdom), Ministry of Information issues more than 14 million copies of a leaflet ''Beating the Invader'', with a preface from Churchill, giving advice on what to do "if invasion comes". ** Meatless Woolton pie introduced. * 2–8 May – 'May Week Raids', sustained heavy bombing on Merseyside, result in over 1,700 deaths and well over 1,000 injuries. * 6–7 May – Greenock Blitz: Greenock in Scotland is intensively bombed. 280 people are killed, and 1,200 more injured. * 9 May – the is captured by the Royal Navy in the North Atlantic with its Enigma cryptography machine and codebooks intact. * 10 May ** The British House of Commons, House of Commons is Burning of Parliament#The 1941 Fire, damaged by the Luftwaffe in an airstrike, air raid. ** Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland claiming to be on a peace mission. * 15 May – first British jet aircraft, the Gloster E.28/39, is flown at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. * 17 May – Tipton, near Dudley in the midlands, is bombed by the Luftwaffe for the second time in six months, with a further six civilian deaths. * 24 May – in the North Atlantic, the German battleship Bismarck, German battleship ''Bismarck'' sinks killing all but three crewmen on what was the pride of the Royal Navy. * 26 May – in the North Atlantic, Fairey Swordfish biplanes from the carrier HMS Ark Royal (91), HMS ''Ark Royal'' fatally cripple the German battleship ''Bismarck'' in torpedo attack. * 1 June – clothes rationing introduced. * 4 June – Britain invades Iraq; the pro-Axis government there is overthrown. * June – Noël Coward's comedy ''Blithe Spirit (play), Blithe Spirit'' is premiered at Manchester Opera House. Opening in London on 2 July, its run of 1,997 consecutive performances sets a record for non-musical plays in the West End theatre which will not be surpassed for more than twenty years. * 12 July – Anglo-Soviet Agreement signed. * August – Political Warfare Executive is formed to disseminate information to Germany and its Occupied countries. * 9 August ** Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill meet on board ship at Naval Station Argentia, Dominion of Newfoundland, Newfoundland. The Atlantic Charter (released 14 August), setting goals for postwar international cooperation, is agreed as a result. ** RAF pilot Douglas Bader taken prisoner by the Germans after a mid-air collision over France. * 12 August – Dudley, which suffered 10 fatalities in a Parachute mine, landmine attack in November last year, suffers five more fatalities when a second landmine is dropped in the town. * 15 August – Josef Jakobs becomes the last person executed at the Tower of London when he faces execution by firing squad following conviction for an offence under the Treachery Act 1940. * 16 August – HMS Mercury (shore establishment), HMS ''Mercury'' Royal Navy Signals School and Combined Signals School opens at Leydene, near Petersfield, Hampshire. * 18 August – National Fire Service established. * 30 August – first official Shetland bus boats, 'Shetland bus' clandestine mission using Norwegian fishing boats between Shetland and German-occupied Norway. * October – the first Ronald Searle cartoon to feature St Trinian's School is published, in the magazine ''Lilliput (magazine), Lilliput''. * 30 October – J. Arthur Rank purchases the Gaumont British, Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, with its 251 cinemas and its subsidiary operations, Gainsborough Pictures and Lime Grove Studios. * 31 October – a Huddersfield factory fire kills 49, many of them young women. * End October – President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt approves United States dollar, US$1bn in Lend-Lease aid to Britain. * 1 November – announcement that radical politician Sir Charles Trevelyan, 3rd Baronet, Sir Charles Trevelyan is donating his family home, Wallington Hall, Northumberland, to the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, National Trust, its first such stately home acquisition. * 13 November – the aircraft carrier is hit by the off Gibraltar; she capsizes and sinks under tow the next day. * 27 November – Tobruk is relieved by the Eighth Army (United Kingdom), Eighth Army (which has controlled British and other Allied ground forces in the Western Desert from September) in Operation Crusader. * 5 December – Britain declares war on Finland, Hungary and Romania. * 8 December – the Battle of Hong Kong begins less than eight hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor when Empire of Japan, Imperial Japanese forces invade British Hong Kong. British Malaya is also attacked and there follows the United Kingdom declaration of war on Japan (1941), declaration of war on Japan. * 10 December – Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse, sinking of ''Prince of Wales'' and ''Repulse'' in the South China Sea: two Royal Navy capital ships, HMS Prince of Wales (53), HMS ''Prince of Wales'' and HMS Repulse (1916), HMS ''Repulse'', are sunk by Japanese aircraft. * 13 December ** Battle of Cape Bon (1941), Battle of Cape Bon off Tunisia: two Italian cruisers are sunk without Allied losses. ** Britain declares war on Bulgaria. * 15 December – ''Crofter Hand Woven Harris Tweed Co Ltd v Veitch'' decided in the House of Lords upholds the right of trade unionists to strike as part of collective bargaining. * 18 December – National Service (No. 2) Act comes into effect: All men and women aged 18–60 are now liable to some form of Conscription in the United Kingdom#Second World War, national service, including military service for men under 51 and unmarried women between 20 and 30. The first military registration of 18½-year-olds takes place. The schedule of reserved occupations is abandoned. * 25 December ** The Battle of Hong Kong ends after 17 days with surrender of the Crown colony of British Hong Kong, Hong Kong to the Japanese. ** Sir Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke, Alan Brooke succeeds John Dill as Chief of the Imperial General Staff, an office he will hold until 1946. * 27 December ** Winston Churchill becomes the first British Prime Minister to address a Joint session of the U.S. Congress. ** British Commandos raid the Norway, Norwegian port of Vågsøy, Vaagso, causing the Germans to reinforce the garrison and defenses.

Undated

* Spring – Noël Coward composes the song ''London Pride (song), London Pride''. * Factory Canteen, predecessor of multinational foodservice company Compass Group, is founded in England by Jack Bateman.

Publications

* Joyce Carey's memoir ''A House of Children'', novel ''Herself Surprised'' and pamphlet ''The Case for African Freedom''. * Agatha Christie's novels ''Evil Under the Sun'' (featuring Hercule Poirot) and ''N or M?'' (featuring Tommy and Tuppence working undercover in the war). * T. S. Eliot's poem ''The Dry Salvages'', third of the ''Four Quartets'' (in February ''New English Weekly''). * Patrick Hamilton (writer), Patrick Hamilton’s novel ''Hangover Square''. * James Hilton (novelist), James Hilton's novel ''Random Harvest''. * John Gillespie Magee, Jr.'s sonnet "High Flight". * ''The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations''. * John Pudney's poem "For Johnny". * Rebecca West's book ''Black Lamb and Grey Falcon''.

Births

* 5 January – Kevin Keelan, English footballer * 7 January ** Iona Brown, British violinist and conductor (died 2004) ** John E. Walker, English chemist, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Prize laureate * 8 January – Graham Chapman, British comedian (died 1989) * 12 January – Long John Baldry, blues singer (died 2005) * 19 January ** Tony Anholt, actor (died 2002) ** Colin Gunton, theologian (died 2003) * 20 January – Allan Young, English footballer (died 2009) * 27 January – Beatrice Tinsley, English-born astronomer (died 1981) * 5 February – Gareth Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn, Labour politician, Leader of the House of Lords, Lord President of the Council (died 2003) * 7 February – Kevin Crossley-Holland, English author and poet * 10 February – Michael Apted, English film director (died 2021) * 26 February – Tony Ray-Jones, British photographer (died 1972) * 27 February – Paddy Ashdown, Liberal Democrat politician, born in the British Raj (died 2018) * 28 February – Tristan Garel-Jones, Welsh-born Conservative politician (died 2020) * 4 March – Adrian Lyne, English film director * 25 March – Lindy Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, artist, conservationist and businesswoman (died 2020) * 26 March – Richard Dawkins, Kenyan-born British scientist * 28 March – Jack Simmons (cricketer), Jack Simmons, English cricketer * 30 March – Graeme Edge, rock drummer and songwriter (The Moody Blues) (died 2021) * 5 April – Dave Swarbrick, folk rock fiddle player (died 2016) * 7 April – Gorden Kaye, comic actor (died 2017) * 8 April – Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer (died 2022) * 10 April – John Kurila, Scottish footballer (died 2018) * 11 April – Shirley Stelfox, English actress (died 2015) * 12 April – Bobby Moore, English football player and World Cup winning captain (died 1993) * 23 April – Ed Stewart, English disc jockey (died 2016) * 26 April – Robin Jacob, English academic and judge * 10 May – Chris Denning, English radio presenter and convicted sex offender * 11 May – Graham Miles, snooker player (died 2014) * 13 May – Miles Kington, journalist and humorist (died 2008) * 26 May – Ron Wallwork, English race walker * 27 May – Derek Robinson (physicist), Derek Robinson, physicist (died 2002) * 29 May – Doug Scott, English mountaineer (died 2020) * 2 June – Charlie Watts, English rock drummer (died 2021) * 5 June – Jeff Rooker, Baron Rooker, English academic and politician, Minister of State for Immigration * 7 June – Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, English party planner, socialite and first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II (died 2020) * 8 June – Robert Bradford (Northern Irish politician), Robert Bradford, Northern Irish footballer and politician (assassinated 1981) * 9 June – Jon Lord, composer, pianist and organist (died 2012) * 14 June **Roy Harper (singer), Roy Harper, guitarist **Mike Yarwood, impressionist and comedian * 18 June – Delia Smith, cook * 25 June – Eddie Large, born Edward McGinnis, Scottish-born comedian (died 2020) * 27 June ** Ian Black (swimmer), Ian Black, swimmer ** James P. Hogan (writer), James P. Hogan, author (died 2010) * 7 July ** Christopher Beeny, English actor (died 2020) ** Alan Durban, Welsh international footballer, manager ** Michael Howard, Welsh politician ** Bill Oddie, English writer, composer, musician and comedian ** Jim Rodford, English musician (died 2018) * 10 July – Jackie Lane (actress), Jackie Lane, actress (died 2021) * 11 July – Tommy Vance, disc jockey (died 2005) * 18 July – Duncan Worsley, cricketer * 29 July - David Warner (actor) , David Warner, actor * 4 August – Martin Jarvis (actor), Martin Jarvis, actor * 6 August – Andrew Green, Baron Green of Deddington, diplomat * 16 August – David Dickinson, British antiques expert, television presenter * 21 August – Howard Lew Lewis, English comedian, actor (died 2018) * 22 August – Barry Jackson (athlete), Barry Jackson, English track and field athlete * 26 August – Chris Curtis, drummer (The Searchers) (died 2005) * 29 August – Robin Leach, television personality (died 2018) * 10 September – Christopher Hogwood, English conductor (died 2014) * 17 September – Marit Allen, film costume designer (died 2007) * 26 September – Martine Beswick, actress and model * 27 September – Peter Bonetti, England football goalkeeper (died 2020) * 29 September – Fred West, English serial killer (suicide 1995) * 30 September – Angela Pleasence, actress * 4 October – Jackie Collins, English-born novelist (died 2015) * 5 October ** Stephanie Cole, English actress ** Steven Spurrier (wine merchant), Steven Spurrier, wine merchant and writer (died 2021) * 19 October – Peter Thornley, English professional wrestler best known for the ring character Kendo Nagasaki * 20 October – Anneke Wills, actress * 21 October – Dickie Pride, rock and roll singer (died 1969) * 23 October – Greg Ridley, rock bassist (died 2003) * 28 October ** John Hallam, English actor (died 2006) ** Hank Marvin, born Brian Rankin, English guitarist * 29 October – George Davies (retailer), George Davies, English fashion retailer * 31 October – Joy Grieveson, British sprinter * 1 November – Nigel Dempster, columnist (died 2007) * 2 November – Bruce Welch, born Bruce Cripps, English guitarist * 18 November ** David Hemmings, English actor (died 2003) ** Angela Watkinson, educator and politician * 24 November – Pete Best, English drummer * 1 December – Nigel Rodley, English international human rights lawyer (died 2017) * 5 December – Sheridan Morley, theatre critic (died 2007) * 17 December – Alan Sinfield, English academic (died 2017) * 18 December – Prince William of Gloucester (died 1972) * 22 December – M. Stanley Whittingham, English-born solid-state chemist, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. * 24 December ** Michael Billington (actor), Michael Billington, English actor (died 2005) ** John Levene, British actor * 31 December – Alex Ferguson, Scottish footballer and football manager

Deaths

* 5 January – Amy Johnson, aviator (born 1903; aviation accident) * 8 January – Lord Robert Baden-Powell, soldier and founder of the Boy Scouts (born 1847) * 10 January – Frank Bridge, composer (born 1879) * 24 January – Josslyn Hay, 22nd Earl of Erroll (born 1901; murder) * 4 February – George Lloyd, 1st Baron Lloyd, politician and diplomat (born 1879) * 12 February – Charles Voysey (architect), Charles Voysey, Arts and Crafts movement, Arts and Crafts designer and domestic architect (born 1857) * 11 March – Sir Walford Davies, composer (Royal Air Force March Past) (born 1869) * 13 March – Tom Mann, trade unionist (born 1856) * 28 March – Virginia Woolf, novelist (born 1882; suicide) * 5 April – Sir Nigel Gresley, railway steam locomotive designer (''LNER Class A3 4472 Flying Scotsman, Flying Scotsman'' and ''LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard, Mallard'') (born 1876) * 16 April – Josiah Stamp, 1st Baron Stamp, economist (born 1880; enemy action) * 23 May – Herbert Austin, 1st Baron Austin, car designer and manufacturer (born 1866) * 24 May – Lancelot Holland, admiral (born 1887; died in action) * 1 June – Sir Hugh Walpole, New Zealand-born novelist (born 1884) * 15 June – Evelyn Underhill, Christian mystic (born 1875) * 30 June – Charles Cripps, 1st Baron Parmoor, lawyer and politician (born 1852) * 11 July – Sir Arthur Evans, archaeologist (born 1851) * 12 August – Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon, politician and colonial administrator, 22nd Viceroy of India, 13th Governor General of Canada (born 1866) * 20 August – John Baird, 1st Viscount Stonehaven, politician, 8th Governor-General of Australia (born 1874) * 17 September – Fred Karno, music hall impresario (born 1866) * 13 October – David Devant, stage magician (born 1868) * 7 November – Frank Pick, transport administrator and patron of industrial design (born 1878) * 16 November – Henry Fuller Maitland Wilson, Sir Henry Wilson, general (born 1859) * 27 November – Charles James Briggs, Sir Charles Briggs, general (born 1865) * 10 December – Tom Phillips (Royal Navy officer), Sir Tom Phillips, admiral (born 1888; killed in action)

References

{{Year in Europe, 1941 1941 in the United Kingdom, Years of the 20th century in the United Kingdom