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The signed Stars & Stripes
The signed Stars & Stripes
This small American paper flag was kept as a valued memento by Beryl Ball of Norton, Mumbles, and given to John Powell by her daughter Julie Lewis from Gower. It was signed, on both sides, by men from the US Engineers, Navy and Marines, who Beryl met at dances in Mumbles. Included are GIs from the 75th Division, who spent November and December 1944 in the locality, before going to the continent in time for the Battle of the Bulge.
One of the signitures is that of John Pieper, B/m 3C. USS LST 317 c/o F.P.O. U.S Navy The USS LCT, featured in LST-Tank Landing Ships probably visited Swansea during November or December 1944.
Beryl’s photo album shows the GIs who she met with in 1944. Beryl is shown here with her sister Margaret. Another shows Beryl kissing her ‘buddy’ (and no doubt doing her bit to aid the war effort).
She often told her daughter that ‘This was the happiest time of her life’. And Her GIs such as Frank, who sends ALL MY LOVE, were never forgotten!
For most American GIs, the brief period that they spent in Wales, was an interlude before the REAL business of war began in earnest. It was a time most of them never forgot.
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