WW2 Ammunition Depot Marston Magna O-680

[ScouseBoy]

If you visit Liverpool on your visit,,  have a look for the memorial plaque at the Pier Head  Liverpool.

It marks the fact that more than 1 million U.S.  troops  passed through the Port of Liverpool during WW2      plus the quantity of stores that arrived at Liverpool.

[JenB]

There is a photo and more information here http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=18267
Map of the site here http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/map.asp?flash=true&mapy=122300&mapx=359000&prn=18267
You can see some of the huts quite clearly on Google 'Earth'.

[KerrUSA]

ScouseBoy and JenB,

Thank you very much for the additional info and suggestions!  I can't begin to tell you how helpful it is and how deeply I appreciate it.

[ScouseBoy]

Slightly off the point,  but an interesting story:   A troop ship carrying re-inforcements from the USA  arrived in Liverpool on VE day.   As they were no longer needed in Europe, orders were issued for them to return to the USA.  Thus it was that they were the first troops to return to New York and they received a triumphant welcome with Bands playing and thousands of people celebrating.

One wonders if they were awarded the appropriate medal for service in Europe?

[B J Bulldog]

KerrUSA
Hi I am B J Bulldogs son and I myself have become very interested in your post about your Dad. I can also confirm the manor house is still in tip top shape next to the church (St Marys Church). My Dad has also made an inquiry to the National Archives office about the the Ammunition Supply Depots in Marston Magna. I Hope we can keep in touch.

[KerrUSA]

ScouseBoy,

The United States government is still awarding medals for World War II service that went overlooked, and the number of stories of absurd military policies is legion.  My own parents provide numerous examples.

After the Normandy invasion, both were transferred to France.  My father, who had been classified 4-F (unfit for duty due to his heart condition) prior to Pearl Harbour, was considered a non-combatant.  So in France, he was assigned to follow the retreating Germans and map the roads and bridges that had not been destroyed and those that could be used to deliver ammunition to the advancing front lines ... on BICYCLE!  And since he was a non-combatant, he was not issued any firearms, even though he often found himself behind enemy lines!

"The Army Way", he called it.   

[KerrUSA]

BJ Bulldog Jr.,

Thanks for the note about the manor house.  Please do keep in touch.  Hopefully, we can meet in person when I'm in the Yeovil area, exchange a few "war stories", and allow me to thank you in person for your kind help.

[ScouseBoy]

My dad in the British Army probably  never got weapons training, but he was sometimes in charge of the cash box,  for which I believe he was given a firearm  to guard,   but   no ammunition.