Event to mark arrival of US soliders in 1942

Event to mark arrival of US soliders in 1942

24 May 2017

DOWN County Museum will hold a unique living history event on Monday, May 29, to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of soldiers from the US Army to the old gaol.

In May 1942 the old gaol was taken over by the 1st Armoured Division of the US Army to house American GIs preparing to fight in North Africa. 

A group of men were stationed in the Gaol and lived in the Governor’s Residence for a number of months. 

Other contingents were stationed in different buildings in County Down and the arrival of the GIs was a source of great excitement in towns and villages all over.

The museum event, which will run from 10am to 4.30pm, is free and will include specialist re-enactments.

Visitors can call into the men’s cookhouse, a typical billet and talk to men and officers as they busy themselves in training, view a jeep and a troop carrier and visit a room where a great range of World War II equipment will be on show.