Tom Fletcher

Originally posted in 2000 and disappeared in 2010, this story comes from https://www.johndclare.net/wwii1_Fletcher.htm and selected extracts are reproduced below.

Tom Fletcher was born in 1928 and at the outbreak of war lived in Clive Lane, Filton next to the Bristol Aeroplane Company. He remembers the early days of air-raid sirens, gas masks and Anderson Shelters being installed but his most distinct early memory was the Filton raid of 25^th September 1940. After that he was evacuated to Coleford in the Forest of Dean, which was a very happy time for him and his brother. They returned to Filton for Christmas 1941 and stayed there for the rest of the war. He takes up the story of 1942:

“Soon the first American troops (black and white Americans) arrived in Bristol and were stationed in a large tented camp adjacent to the Patchway bypass, about two and a half miles from our house. This was the first time we had ever seen such large numbers of black men, and we were not fully aware that they were segregated in the camp.

We used to cycle to the camp and hang around the entrance watching the lorries entering with supplies. Jeeps seemed to be buzzing in and out all the time, and drivers and passengers (who always seemed a happy-go-lucky lot) would throw us the occasional packet of chewing gum – a real treat for us.

Jeeps tearing around Filton soon became a familiar sight, and we used to sit in them when they were parked outside the pubs. My father, who was working permanently on the night shift at Rolls Royce and had a part-time job delivering bread in the morning, also had a part-time job during weekends as a barman in the local pub.

He told of the early days, of the Americans first visit to the pub. They had pockets full of English money, but no idea whatsoever of the value, and after ordering a drink (usually whiskey – they detested English beer) they would hold out both hands full of notes and coins for the barman to take the cost of the round. It goes without saying all the barmen were scrupulously honest!!

The Americans, having quite a smart uniform – much better than the English “Tommy” -and plenty of money, quickly attracted the local girls. It soon got around that as well as money, they seemed able to get unlimited supplies of nylon stockings (a real luxury for girls in wartime) and stacks of chocolate. It’s no exaggeration to say that some of the girls were “queuing up”, much to the annoyance of local boys and service men home on leave.

The Americans, now known as “G.I.s” fitted in well with the local community, attending dances, etc as well as getting involved in the odd Saturday night “punch-up”.

On one occasion a travelling fair arrived on the local common for a few days, which was an immediate attraction for us boys, and for the Americans with their English girlfriends.

One particular ride, which was a very fast roundabout type, together with a switch-back up and down action proved very popular with the G.I.s who, unlike the English lads, could afford to stay on for as many rides as they wanted. This ride was of great interest to us lads as spectators. Due to the speed of the ride, and with a light breeze blowing, as the two-seater cars came spinning around holding a G.I. with his arm firmly around his girl, we were treated to some exciting sights. At a particular point on the ride the girls’ skirts would blow up in their face exposing legs clad in nylon stockings held up with suspenders. We didn’t know if they were showing off the nylons, their legs or both but we were rooted to the spot as they flashed by laughing and screaming – I can still see those girls now!! As a group of 14 and 15 year old boys standing and staring we were slowly beginning to realize that girls are different to boys – such innocent days!!!!

The British servicemen on leave didn’t stand a chance against the G.I.s – they had the uniform, the money, the nylons the chocolate AND the girls. The Americans were paid around forty pounds a month while our men only got a few shillings. Towards the end of the war, before D-day there were approximately two million Americans based in Britain.

At the end of the war some of the Americans returned to Filton and married their English girlfriends, taking them back to the States. These girls were then known as G.I. brides.”

Aged 14, Tom got a job with the Bristol Aeroplane Company where he worked throughout the war. He remembered VE Day and going into the centre for a pub crawl which ended by 9:30 after the pubs ran dry but the celebrations continued with dancing around bonfires. On 10^th August there was a victory parade in London, which he and his future brother-in-law went up to finishing with tea in Lyons Corner House.

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