Welcome to Island
Farm
Welcome to Island
Farm
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Introduction |
| The
site on which Island Farm was to be built was selected initially
so that it was a fair distance away from the munitions factory that
it was built to serve. The massive complex of what was
The Royal Ordnance
Factory in Bridgend would be a prime target for the enemy. The
munitions factories would employ thousands of workers, which during
wartime would be difficult to transport from the outlaying
districts. So, Island Farm Camp was born to help this. Island farm was constructed in tandem with construction of the ordnance factory and was completed in 1939. I t wasn't long however, after production started at the munitions factory, that the people working in the factory who were staying at Island farm preferred to travel from home every day, and back the next day, other than stay away from their families during war. Island farm camp then lay empty for a number of years. |
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Munitions storage |
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| The American's joined World War
Two after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in December 1941.
America was now our ally, and declared war on Japan and her allies.
This was what Roosevelt wanted, an excuse to go to war. The
Americans had been aiding us for a number of years, with programmes
such as Lend-Lease, now Britain had the entire might of the United
States to kick back at Germany. The build up of American service personnel began slowly at first, then the numbers of soldiers, sailors and airmen began to swell the population. Over paid, Over sexed and over here became their slogan, and they brought with them a lively attitude that maybe Britain was losing as the war dragged on. They chewed gum, drove jeeps, danced the jitterbug and brought additional fighting spirit with them. Homes were found for these "Yanks" all around the country, in the Welsh valleys, at the seaside at Porthcawl and Island Farm camp. The American 28th Infantry Division landed in Bridgend, and went about their business. Eisenhower paid a visit by all accounts, made a speech to the troops from the back of a jeep on the parade ground prior to D-Day. No photographic record exists of this, however, he made several of these type speeches during the build up to D-Day. |
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| Eisenhower talks with his troops Hittin' the Beaches ! | |
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| The Americans left Island Farm
in April 1944, moved down south ready to assemble on their ships and landing
craft ready for the invasion. They were reluctant to leave their
very comfortable accommodation in Bridgend, they had been spoiled. They were even more unhappy when they learned later on in the war, who the next tenants at their camp were ! |
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| 28th Infantry Division in Action, Europe 1944 | |
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