Newton Memorial, Mumbles, Swansea
The memorial will be a lasting reminder to those young men who made such an impact on the local community
The Memorial is located in front of
Newton Village Hall, Mumbles,
and was unveiled on 2nd November 2012, by
The Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, D Byron Lewis Esq jointly with Cliff Guard, an American GI veteran, who was born in Swansea.
This Memorial is dedicated to the American Forces who lived and trained in Mumbles, Caswell and surrounding areas during the Second World War.
Many of whom were never to return to the country of their birth.
Cliff 'Limey' Guard, now 89 years old, ran 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.
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,
Combined Ex-services Standard Bearers
and members of various ex-service Associations
Newton Village Hall, Caswell Road, Mumbles, near Swansea
Link to their website and local views
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.
Many remember 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.
The US 2nd Infantry Division 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.
The 'Friendly invasion' of Mumbles
When the American GIs arrived
Here, several local villagers share their memories
of this welcome invasion