Graffiti by American servicemen in Lydiard House attic, 1943

In November 1943 a group of American GI's broke into Lydiard House, no doubt they were curious about the boarded up stately home across the lawn from their camp. The incident might have gone unnoticed, but they also broke into the church, tolling one of the great old bells and causing quite a stir in the neighborhood.

Whilst in the house, several GIs graffitied a wall in the attic of the House as well as etching their names and addresses in leadwork on the roof itself.

This photograph shows a graffiti inscription by Nino R Pacilio of Mannington, West Virginia, USA, which he has dated Nov 3rd 1943.