Read on Twitter
So, a brief thread from my trip to #Aldbourne today, following in the tracks of Lieutenant Richard Winters and the men of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, US Army. Easy was based here in 1943/44 in the run up to D-Day.
2/ The village is remarkably unchanged since the 1940s and many of the places associated with Easy's stay are very recognisable.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
3/ The Blue Boar on the green was reserved for officers. It still serves excellent beer and offers travellers a warm welcome. I imagine Lt Nixon knew it well.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
4/ The beautiful St Michael's Church still stands has it has for centuries. Lt Winters was a regular worshipper. And Lt Spiers (he of the Foy charge) married a local girl. My excellent guide and friend, @davidjmcarson1, stands in for Spiers in the modern photo.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
Winters was quartered in a room in #Aldbourne Post Office, run by a Mr & Mrs Barnes. They all became very attached to one another. When Winters last visited in 1992 he wanted a moment alone at the grave of the people who had come to regard him as another son.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
6/ In recent years there was an archaeological dig on the site of a former sergeants' camp, led by @richardhosgood. It's a fascinating piece of work, which unearthed much of interest. More here: https://archaeology.co.uk/articles/features/overpaid-oversexed-and-under-aldbourne-digging-d-days-band-of-brothers.htm
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
7/ Remarkably, one of the huts from the camp still survives. I was led to it by my intrepid guide, @davidjmcarson1. It was the Red Cross hut, so you can be sure many of the men of Easy would have visited it. It's now used as a workshop by its charming owner.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
8/ The camp's former cookhouse is also still standing. I'm unsure as to its present use.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
9/ Leaving #Aldbourne, we then drove the short distance to beautiful Littlecote House. In September 1943, the US 101st Airborne Division took over part of the house, and it became home to regimental staff, regimental HQ company, and HQ company of the 1st Battalion, 506th PIR.
10/ Remarkably, in the grounds is also to be found part of a stable block from #Aldbourne which was originally situated behind The Blue Boar and was used to billet some of Easy. The rest of the stables are now in a museum at Toccoa, GA, where Easy first trained.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
11/ Back to #Aldbourne and this is the Post Office where Winters lodged with the Barnes. There is a room available to rent if you're interested! Winters' room was top left.
#bandofbrothers
#bandofbrothers
12 and final/ I'm well aware that Winters and his men attract interest because we know their story. There were thousands and thousands of others who served with gallantry, but most know little of them. Winters and Easy are 'everymen' and I honour them and all who served.
PS. Huge thanks to my good friend, @davidjmcarson1, who guided me with great good humour and showed me places I would never have discovered on my own.
