How did American servicemen relax during their time in Bristol? The answer was both by adopting the ways of Bristolians and by bringing their own entertainment. These contemporary newspaper articles tell the story.
A trip to the Red Lodge on Park Row was a regular feature for many American soldiers, particularly the officers. The Bristol Savages (now renamed Bristol 1904 Arts) would put on theatrical shows featuring musical numbers, poetry and sketches
Where Americans went, there would be baseball. Many Bristol fields were co-opted as baseball fields including the fields of Clifton College, The Downs and Frenchay Common. There was even a mini-league for the Americans based at Bristol Ports (see this detailed account of baseball in Britain in 1943). More used to cricket, the rules were confusing to Bristolians so the Western Daily Press printed a handy guide to the game.
Americans were equally bemused by cricket but that didn’t stop them enjoying a sunny afternoon watching a match at Clifton College. No doubt, a much needed break from planning D-Day, which was also going on in the grounds.
Another pastime brought over by the American servicemen was Bingo! Not commonly played in Britain before the war, it was another curiosity that the Western Daily Press helped explain.
After many frontline and logistics troops had left for D-Day, the US Army Band arrived to entertain both the locals and the many servicemen still stationed in the city.
Perhaps the most exciting and exotic piece of entertainment that Americans brought was a cowboy display! The Downs, used as a US Army vehicle storage and servicing area, was the scene of bank holiday fun.
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US Military in WW2 Bristol 