Geoffrey Kay’s talk, entitled ‘Overpaid, Oversexed and Over Here’ was subtitled ‘The Friendly Invasion’ and that seems to me to be a kinder description of the events in East Angila during the Second World War. Over three million American troops came to Britain during the war and 26,000 lives were lost. It was a huge logistical operation as plans were made for D-Day and the bombing of Germany. Troops were given an instruction booklet on how to order drinks in pubs, how to treat women and how the money system worked among other things and although there was some tension between the British people and the white American airmen and their black counterparts, most villages welcomed the visitors and appreciated their help in winning the war.
Geoffrey started his talk by asking the members if any of them were able to remember the early 1940s and this produced many stories from those who were small children at the time. They remembered parties at the air bases and the generosity of the men. One lady has a bracelet with a dime on it which was given to her by one of the Americans who visited her home.
Geoffrey told us the story of Sam Hurry, who was ten years old and was ‘adopted’ by the men at Thorpe Abbots airfield. They let him start the planes, took him to London for a treat and bought school uniform for him when he passed his 11+ and his parents could not afford it.
He also told us of John T Appleby, an American nightfighter, who spent an idyllic summer visiting churches, going to concerts and enjoying the whole Suffolk experience. His book, Suffolk Summer, details all of this and the royalties from the book still help to pay for the upkeep of the Memorial Rose Garden in the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds.
Glen Miller, James Stewart, James Cagney and Jo Louis were among the celebrities who served in East Anglia. One of our members’ mothers remembered James Stewart being at dances at Old Buckenham!
An excellent talk, brought to life by Geoffrey and the members.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 17th October, 7.30pm in the WI Hall when Christopher Parkinson will talk on East Anglian Stained Glass windows.
Dorothy Anderson