American GIs
in Mumbles, Swansea & Gower
By John Powell
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Units of the American 5th Engineer Special Brigade, exercise with an LST and other ships at Port Eynon, Bay Gower, on 28 Feb 1944
TABLE OF CONTENTS - quick links
The original Changing Rooms at Underhill Park, Mumbles, were constructed by American GIs in late 1943 and used until modern times..
As well as Oxwich Bay, Horton and Scurlage GI Camp
and with 5th Engineer Special Brigade at Mynydd Lliw Camp, GrovesendBy David Tucker with additional images from Richard Lewis
They were also operated locally post-war
We describe he impact of the US Army at Grovesend and Gower
Herbert served with the 5th Engineer Special Brigade at Mynydd Lliw Camp, Grovesend
and sent the Rickard family, High Street, Grovesend, a photo on 30 March with a message,
'Mch. 30 1944. The situation is serious. To my good friends Mr and Mrs David Rickard,
your hospitality is appreciated. Herbert J Sanborn. ph [sic] A Co APO # 230 U.S. Army'.
The photo on the card ( name added by editor)
The message on the card
Cliff Edwin Guard
Cliff Edwin Guard
Passed away peacefully at Hillside Care Home in Uplands, Swansea, aged 99 years. Cliff was born in Swansea and proud to have served in the US Army. He was the recipient of numerous medals including the French Legion d’Honneur following his distinguished service with the US Army throughout WW2.
Cliff also supported a number of veterans groups and causes throughout his life. He was a proud member of the Veterans Association, the American Legion and the Royal British Legion where he was well know for selling poppies every year in Swansea Market. He made other charitable donations to veterans groups, including his share of the proceeds of his biography “G.I. Limey, a Welsh American’s Second World War”.
After earning his degree at Perdue University, he went on to have a distinguished career with the United States Government before returning to his beloved Swansea where he helped to create and establish the Swansea Centre for Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Helping veterans and others overcome their struggles providing him with a tremendous sense of personal satisfaction.
His final resting place is at Arlington National Cemetery, USA, where he is interred with full military honours.
Cliff Guard (GI Limey)
17/09/1923 - 12/05/2023
by Bernard Bellush an American GI
who served in the
616 Ordnance Ammunition Company
5th Engineer Special Brigade
His grandadaughter Kim and husband Gareth, visited the American Forces Memorial at Newton Village Hall and shared his memories.
By Duane Heath
There was something about the cleanliness of Omaha Beach that just didn't look right when Douglas (Arizona) resident Duane Heath went back to see it.5th Engineer Special Brigade
and a signed Stars & Stripes
and a signed Stars & Stripes
This small American paper flag was signed, on both sides, by men from the US Engineers, Navy and Marines
5th Engineer Special Brigade
Sgt John McGraw
Aerial photo of Sketty Camp
On Nov. 18th 1943 he moved to Singleton Park Camp, Swansea. but, were also at Manselton and Scurlage Castle and while there, went on 'manoeuvres'.
Larry Owen (photo) recalls 'it was an exciting time for 8yr olds
Geoff Phillips describes the village of the time
Hillary Mackenzie recalls
'My innocent childhood came to an abrupt halt
John Pressdee said 'I had never seen a black man before'
D Day 6th June 1944
Three of the GIs who lived and trained in the area and whose stories are revealed on this page, along with many others:-
His son Bob, shares his fathers' experiences
5th Engineer Special Brigade
Betty Sivertsen recalled the war years when 'the American flag flew from the top of the cliffs at Caswell
Ron Sanders, who found dog tags while using his metal detector
Almost a quarter of the fourteen thousand American soldiers who attended this training centre, between September 1943 and March 1944, to learn the arts of war, became casualties on the Normandy beaches in one day and few of the survivors lived to see the war’s end in 1945.
Format for the weekend is usually: Camping on the beach, convoys across the American D-Day training grounds and along the practice assault beach. Saturday's involve evening live entertainment, pyro skirmish and beach assault.
Find out more about Glenn Booker's visit to Devon D Day 2016 > A look back
More information at: Assault Training Center Friends >
Rocky Marciano
at Mumbles
at Mumbles
The boxer was billeted on Mumbles Pier
and served in the 348th Engineers
5th Engineer Special Brigade
Tank Landing Ships
Tank Landing Ships
and Omaha Beach
Life on LST-317 is included and details of its use
as a Hospital Ship on the return journey from the beach.
GI Pedro Rodon and his wife Barbara & baby
A Swansea GI Bride
A Swansea GI Bride
A Swansea GI Bride
and aditional research
Via New York - Swansea to Normandy
by Carroll Turner of the 348th Engineers
Part of the 5th Engineer Special Brigade A more detailed historySelected passages from the Regimental History By: Keith Bryan
John can be contacted on 01792 520540 email: j.powell20@ntlworld.com
To those US GIs who served in the area, was Dedicated at Newton Village Hall, in 2012.
Other Memorials in South Wales
Other Memorials in South Wales
Website:
This link takes you away from this page
from 'FRONTLINE KIDS 'by Bill Owen
Recollections of children in WW2
The potential for trouble with the soldiers was ever present.
New Book
NEW BOOK:
by Phil Howells
The Invasion of Northern France, but seen from a South Wales perspective.
The Invasion of Northern France, but seen from a South Wales perspective.
Facts and figures, convoys and the ships involved, camp locations, exercises, planning, concentration,
marshalling, embarkation and the units involved. Where did they come from, where did they then go?
Published on Amazon to coincide with the 76th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings, the biggest amphibious operation in history
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