In 1944 , in World War II , with 38-year-old Vera still women 's world champion , the two sisters and their mother were killed by a V-1 rocket , which destroyed their home . In 1944 , as Britain was nearing its sixth year in World War II , and 38-year-old Vera , who was widowed the previous year , still holding the title of women 's world champion , her two sisters and their mother were killed in a V-1 rocket bombing raid which destroyed their home at 47 Gauden Road in the Clapham area of South London .