Merchant Navy Hotel- Naval Accommodation in Bedford Square, London, England, UK, 1944 Mr R W Smith, Head Porter at the Merchant Navy Hotel on Bedford Square, checks over the baggage of newly-arrived guests in the hotel lobby. The notice boards above his head give official information to guests and there are also lists of 'what's on' in London. According to the original caption, Mr Smith is an old sailor, who first went to sea in 1902.