WW2 Ammunition Depot Marston Magna O-680

[KerrUSA]

I am trying to track down any records or information available about the Ammunition Supply Depot at Marston Magna (O-680).  I have obtained copies of the "official" US Army histories of the facility, but they have provided no information about my father's service there.  Here is his story as I have reconstructed it from the fragmentary (and chiefly anecdotal) information available:

Shortly after completing officer candidate school and receiving promotion to 2nd Lieutenant in October 1943 my father, John A. Pellman, was assigned to the ammunition supply depot at Marston Magna.  It was there (we think) that he gained his first experiences of command -- over a unit composed chiefly of African-American conscripts -- experiences that had a profound influence on his later life and led him to become a civil rights activist in the '50s and '60s.  He was also involved in tracking down a trainload of lost ammunition that was vital to D-Day, an event we suspect also occurred while he was at Marston Magna (or possibly Cheltenham).

The US DoD claim that the details of his service record were destroyed in a fire in 1978, so all we can obtain from official sources are his dates of service, rank, serial number, Legion of Merit citation, and discharge certificate -- nothing that provides the specifics of his various postings and assignments during the War.  I know it's a long-shot, but I am hoping there are records or recollections in private hands that might shed light on his service ...

[ScouseBoy]

Which county was it in, it sounds like  leicestershire.

[KerrUSA]

Which county was it in, it sounds like  leicestershire.

I believe it's in Somerset.

[ScouseBoy]

Do you know whether it was an underground storage depot?   

My advice  is to  write a letter to the editor of one of the local newspapers which circulates in the area of Marston Magna  and ask  for any one who remembers the U.S.  forces stationed there during WW2.

[KerrUSA]

Do you know whether it was an underground storage depot?   

My advice  is to  write a letter to the editor of one of the local newspapers which circulates in the area of Marston Magna  and ask  for any one who remembers the U.S.  forces stationed there during WW2.

I don't recall it being underground.  All the photographs I recall seeing of my father during the War involved above-ground buildings -- no bunkers, etc.  He never described any of it as being underground either.

Love the idea about a letter to the editor.  Now that you've said it, it seems such an obvious thing!  Thanks!

[ScouseBoy]

Google "Yeovil  local newspapers"

google also "Yeovil local history society"         

From things I have heard about US forces stationed in the UK during WW2,,   the feeling amongst the civilian population  was against the segregation of  black servicemen.   

[KerrUSA]

     

From things I have heard about US forces stationed in the UK during WW2,,   the feeling amongst the civilian population  was against the segregation of  black servicemen.   

The way I recall Dad telling it is that he was about the only White at the supply depot.  He had just been given command of it, he was fresh out of OCS, still wet behind the ears, and he was trying to run the depot by the book.  The men under his command were disorderly, unkempt, out of uniform, and undisciplined, so he was trying to whip them into shape.  After a few days of this, his (Black) first sergeant approached him and asked just what the heck he was trying to do.  "I'm trying to get these men to act like soldiers," Dad answered.  "But they're not soldiers," the first sergeant told him, "They're mules.  They were drafted and put in uniform, but they were never even given basic training.  They were just shipped over here to carry ammunition around so that if this depot blows up the Army only loses one soldier ... and that would be you, Lieutenant."  Dad's reply to this was: "Not under my command.  If they're going to die for their country, then by God they're going to die as soldiers and men; not mules."  The story goes that he then created his own basic training program, taught them to march, shoot, Army regulations, and all the other things they would have learned at basic training.

I'm hoping to find some corrobaoration of those events, or at least that Marston Magna was indeed where they occurred.

[B J Bulldog]

Dear KerrUSA,
I read your post, dated January 2011, about your father "John Pellman". I am a resident at Marston Magna and own a field, next to the village hall, with the remains of 7 nissen huts which I believe were part of the Ammunition Supply Depot at Marston Magna (0-680) Yeovil, Somerset. There was also another depot at the other end of the village near the old railway station. I dont have any direct information about your father but have found an extract from the Marston Magna "Our village in the twentieth century" book written by a local lady,  which might give you some further information.

"In the run up to D-Day, all the English soldiers moved out and in came 500 black Americans and about 30 American Officers and N.C.O.s, plus a fleet of lorries. For months they were unloading trains and taking ammunition to fields along the roadside for miles around."

This lady also went on to say the American Senior Officers lived in the Manor house and the Corporals and Sgts were billeted out in private houses. She also says that the US Army operated a segregation policy at that time and black soldiers were largely employed on labouring duties.

I hope this is of some interest.

[KerrUSA]

BJ Bulldog,

That is not only of interest, but it's timing couldn't have been more perfect!!!

Just two days ago I received a reply from the Haynes Motor Museum stating that, as far as they knew, NONE of the buildings from the Marston Magna depot were still standing.  I was disappointed to say the least, and had all but given up the idea of visiting the Yeovil/Sparkford area on my visit to the UK next month.

Your post has changed my mind!  The museum spokesperson did say that the Village pub that my father undoubtedly set foot in at least once is still standing.  Do you know if the manor house where he would have been billeted is also still there?  If so, then I have good reason to visit and photograph the area and will definitely add it to my travel itinerary!  I would also be interested in acquiring a copy of the book you referenced.

Hope to hear from you again soon.  If you wish to email me privately, my email address is len_pellman [at] yahoo.com.