Remember the US military? (From Gazette Series)

Remember the US military?

SIR - Next month will be the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy

and I am trying to research Dursley's part in the lead-up to this turning point in the Second World War.

I know that two American units, the 41st and 67th Evacuation Hospitals, were stationed in the town from 1943 until the time of the invasion and many of the military personnel were based in the new school buildings at Highfields, then unopened, as well as at neartby Rangers House, now demolished. I also understand that many of the officers were billeted with different residents around the town.

Could I please appeal to your readers who may have memories of these events to contact me at the address below or on 01453 549323? Perhaps those memories involve the military units performing drill practice, or marching daily along Kingshill Road. Maybe they recall the soldiers attending the

Regal cinema or handing out sweets to the local children. Or perhaps The memories are more to do with their sudden departure from the town at the time of D-Day itself, when they all disappeared overnight. Were there any tearful farewells?

I would be very pleased to hear from anyone with any information, memories,

photos, mementos, etc from those times. If anyone still has contact with any

of the soldiers or nurses who were here, I would be especially pleased to

hear from them.

Andrew Barton, 7 Jubilee Road, Dursley, Glos GL11 4ES