大象传媒

Mrs. Kathleen Nevin of Portstewart shared this memory with me ....

I was 9 or 10 during the war.
Every Tuesday we would visit my Aunt in Portrush and as usual we were ushered upstairs so the adults could discuss world affairs behind closed doors and away from prying childrens ears.

We watched the American GI's (82nd Airborne Regiment),who were currently stationed there, screeching about the town in their jeeps from the upstairs bay window.
I remember thinking how strange those vehicles looked.

There was a buzz of activity as that day the GI's were to throw a party for all the children from Portrush as a gesture of kindness.

We overheard two of the GIs at the door imploring our mother and Aunt to let us go even though we were from nearby Portstewart. They pointed out that our father was abroad in service (he was a Trooper in the Irish Horse Regiment and fought in N. Africa & Italy)and they insisted we accompany them to the party.

They took us to Barrys and we went on the swing boats and dogem cars. I remember thinking how kind and protective they were.
Afterwards the party was held in a hall on Dunluce st.

We could'nt believe our eyes when we saw the sugared doughnuts. We had never seen a doughnut before and sugar was rationed which meant we even had to give it up in our tea.Our mother needed all she could get for baking. I will never forget how delicious they were.

I often think about those young men today. At the time they seemed so grown up but now looking back I can see they were only really kids.

They probably led quiet lives in middle America. Some may never even have set eyes on the sea before.
What a shock it must have been for them to land here!I remember it was snowing the day they arrived. How different everything must have seemed. They may not have even understood the accents at first.

Although my Aunt and Uncle occasionally entertained some of the officers, many of the families in the town may have felt wary about inviting the soldiers into their homes, particularly with their men away.

I recently learned that around 80% of those young GI's who were stationed in Portrush tragically went on to lose their lives.

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