Uttoxeter Online Magazine

The first American troops to arrive in our part of the world arrived in 1942.  They came to what became known as Sudbury Camp (nearly in Marchington).

A hospital was built at the present site of HMP Prison. A great marshalling yard was built outside Sudbury Railway Station. 

The first American troops were transportation types, not infantrymen.  Firstly, they were all white, then black soldiers arrived. 

My First Observations.. The amount of money they had compared with our troops, the food they ate, the style of dancing, and their smoking packet after packet of cigarettes.

Advantages, they had a steady supply of chewing gum, some of us, managed to get into the base hospital, when Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and other Hollywood stars appeared.  Exciting in the life of 1940”s teenagers.

Dislikes.  The various obvious colour bar.  White troops on one night, black on the other.  All towns in reachable destinations had colour and white nights.  Officers, had no bounds.  Black officers, were a rarity. Trouble between our troops on leave ( already had been at war 2 years), and mainly the white Americans.  It came as a surprise to our local soldiers, that Americans did not rely on fists.  Our local Police, had problems, but mainly, held their own, aided, by the Snowballs”,  white and black, who hit hard and sometimes fatally, in any disturbances.

Highlights.  American armoured cars, with 20 Thompson sub machine guns, to collect the payroll from Barclays Bank.  All traffic stopped, the bank ringed with guards, and the large trunks of money brought out.  Just like the American films.  It was exciting at first, then we grew used to it. 

Our young ladies and those from outlying districts, all attended American sponsored dances. No alcohol, but cakes of all types.  For two years, they were a permanent feature, then in 1944, they began to move. Our next interest, was the Italian Prisoners of war.  I will tell that story later.

John Mellor