American Forces Memorial at Newton Village Hall, Mumbles
D Day Memorial
This Memorial is dedicated to the U.S. Forces who lived and trained at the former Saint Peter's Church Hall on this site and in Mumbles, Caswell and surrounding areas prior to leaving for the Normandy Beaches in June 1944.
We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom on the long road to final victory during the Second World War
American GIs who lived and trained in Mumbles
The unveiling on 2nd November 2012, began with The Dedication commenced with a service at Saint Peter’s Church, conducted by The Right Reverend John Davies, Bishop of Swansea & Brecon, followed by a ceremony at the Memorial.
Also present were Lord Mayor of Swansea, Councillor Dennis James: The Chair of Mumbles Community Council, City & County of Swansea Councillors for Newton, Mumbles Community Councillors for Newton,
With Combined Ex-services Standard Bearers and members of various ex-service Associations
The American Memorial was unveiled at Newton Village Hall, by The Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, D Byron Lewis Esq., jointly with Cliff Guard, an American GI veteran, who was born in Swansea.
Cliff 'Limey' Guard, now 89 years old, was born in Swansea, went away to sea when 14 years old and eventually joined the US Army, 23rd Armoured Engineers, in the US 3rd Armoured Division. He was wounded at Omaha Beach and took part in the Battle of the Bulge.
It is appropriate that Cliff Guard assisted in the unveiling of the memorial and commemorated his comrades, many of whom were never
to return to the country of their birth
Visits To The D Day Memorial
There have been many poignant visits by family and friends of veterans, to this memorial, in tribute to those who served.
A visit by Kim and Gareth Grifiths
A Poignant Visit to the American Forces Memorial
On 14th July 2016, Kim & Gareth Griffiths, from the United States visited the American Forces Memorial at Newton Village Hall.
Kim revealed that her grandfather, William Snead Sr. from south Boston Virginia, was an American Soldier, who had trained for the Normandy Landings in Swansea and Gower, who survived and has written his memories in the article below.
Kim wanted to find the family of a kind lady who gave her grandfather hospitality and the Evening Post published an appeal for information along with William’s wartime memories.
His dramatic wartime experiences
A visit by local lad, John Sutherland
JJohn Powell & Bert Harris welcomed the return of a local lad, John Sutherland (centre) who now resides in New Zealand, to the Newton Village Hall, where he examined the new American Forces Memorial. He later enjoyed afternoon tea and met Glenn Booker and . . .
shared his memories of the American GIs in the village >
Glenn Booker, Historian Chairman of Barry War Museum
The American Memorial is located in front of
Newton Village Hall Caswell Road, Mumbles, Swansea, SA3 4SD The U.S. Army engineers lived and trained in the Caswell / Newton area and utilised the former St. Peter’s Church Hall as their dining hall. Many were accommodated under canvas in a tented area behind the Hall.
Here, several local villagers share their memories of this welcome invasion
John Powell has supplied background information concerning the US 2nd Infantry Division which was based in the Mumbles and Newton areas immediately prior to playing their part in the D Day landings in Normandy, 6th June 1944 and the other US Forces who served in the area.
The Oystermouth Historical Association has preserved records of this unique American Military presence in Mumbles, reinforced by the personal memories of many villagers. Extracts from these records and many of the memories are documented below.
Larry Owen said, ‘We are very grateful to St Peter’s Parochial Church Council for granting permission for this memorial to be placed and without their assistance this event would not be taking place’.
This scheme is the brain-child of Mumbles-born, Larry Owen who, after a long absence from Mumbles came home and was saddened to discover that no tangible memorial existed, to those gallant young Americans, who had crossed the Atlantic to fight alongside Britain and her Allies.
Many paid the supreme sacrifice in the bloody landings on Omaha Beach.
Like many of his contemporaries, Larry remembers these American GIs with great affection, recalling their pleasant friendly manner, their good conduct and immense generosity- ever dispensing those elongated packets of Wrigley’s gum, so freely, to the kids and the soft crumpled packets of Camels and Lucky Strike cigarettes, with matching generosity to the senior members of the community.
'
I have lived and worked in Germany and the United States of America and while I was stewarding at Oystermouth Castle, I have very valuable memories of meeting several visiting Veterans and their relations from the United States.
I was able to direct them to Underhill Park, Newton Village and Caswell Bay, where the troops had lived and trained, as well as sharing with them my personal recollections of that time
Glenn Booker, project historian
Larry Owen, aged 8
Larry Owen
GI Limey:
A Welsh-American's Second World War
Clifford Edwin Guard was born in 1923, in the South Wales sea town of Swansea, into a life of abject poverty. By the age of 15 he sought escape through joining the merchant navy and set about exploring the world.
When the Second World War broke out he took part in the Atlantic convoys before joining the US Army after finding himself in New York soon after the Americans entered the war. Having landed on Omaha Beach, as part of the 3rd Armored Division, he and his pals spent the next 11 months at the forefront of the battle to push the German Army all the way back to the heart of Germany.
GI Limey is a rags to riches tale of triumph over adversary, a real-life Boy’s Own adventure, laced with friendships forged in the heat of battle that only a soldier can truly understand. With its shockingly honest description of combat, at times brutal to read, you are left in no doubt how death and destruction can haunt a soldier for the rest of their life. Geraint Thomas is a writer and journalist from Swansea in South Wales. Visit GI Limey on Facebook https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU63S2_GfBM
From Swansea Boy to American GI: The Story of Cliff Guard -Utube
Cliff Guard Swansea Boy to American GI Part 1
This programme (and the other parts) tells the amazing story of Cliff Guard, a former American GI who was initially born in Swansea to a life of seeming poverty; and yet engaged on a truly remarkable life journey that is both fascinating and enlightening.
Cliff was featured in the local press during his war service
More: American GIs in Mumbles, Swansea & Gower
More:- The Second World War 1939 to 1945
A co-ordinator of this project, is Mumbles born John Powell,
who can be contacted on 01792 520540 and email:j.powell20@ntlworld.com
He can keep you up to date and is always willing to receive information regarding
GI veterans who served in the area of Swansea & Gower.