Woodchester mystery help please

[foxjohnstone]

Hello

Where do I start !

An article was published in the Times in 2001 regarding the famous Angel apparition supposedly captured by Cine film in the 1950's. This turned out to be a massive publicity hoax to bring Woodchester Mansion into the limelight !.

However I am truly stuck on one thing - were there really American service men camping out in the Woodchester Park grounds in 1944, and did some die whilst driving across a pontoon bridge over one of the lakes in the Spring of 1944??. I cannot find any report of such an occurrence in the Times newspaper, nor can i find any factual report using all of my on-line sources.

I need to complete a history report so any help would be absolutely wonderful.

Gem x

[StintonLomas]

Hi
The Wiki entry for the mansion certainly mentions American and Canadian troops being billeted in the grounds, however it doesn't mention anything about the deaths you are querying.

[Madraykin]

I actually went on a ghost hunt there on Saturday night - American servicemen were definitely mentioned while I was there - I'll see if I can find anything for you!

[Madraykin]

I doubt that it would have been reported in the Times, being US servicemen and so far from London - a local Gloucestershire newspaper may help.

I can't find any 'definitive' answer - but this link may be interesting:

http://tortworth-court-hotel.four-pillars.co.uk/the-history-of-tortworth-court-_38/

I know this hotel very well, and it appears that Woodchester was once owned by the same person! Anyway, long after this it seems there were US servicemen stationed at Tortworth - which is just down the road - so there were definitely US servicemen in the area at the right time.

I'm not sure where else to go, other than the local news or any other house records, but of course they would only be available at the records office itself........

Sorry I couldn't be of more help - if you want I can get in touch with the people that I went there with over the weekend and see if they can substantiate their information?

[Heb66]

   I live in the beautiful village of Woodchester I will ask around to some of the elderly generation I know who have lived in the village all their lives. I can also visit our library to read up on local newspapers of that time if you wish.

Regards Helen.

[foxjohnstone]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info ... and sorry for such a late reply.

I have written to a relatave at The American Embassy ... hopefully he will pull a few strings and find out some info on the alleged deaths of any airmen.

Times newspaper has many deaths re allied troop deaths in 2nd WW ... so i was surprised that there was not even a glimmer of a mention !.

Gem x

[IMBER]

Another local camp:

https://www.stroudlocalhistorysociety.org.uk/research/lypiatt/

You mention "airmen". More likely to be Army perhaps?

Imber