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Lydiard Park - The War Years - booklet

Lydiard Park - The War Years -  booklet
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A booklet written to accompany an exhibition at Lydiard House on Lydiard Park during World War II.

It provides a brief account of the military requisition of Lydiard Park following the death of Lady Bolingbroke in 1940, the establishment of the US 302nd hospital camp in 1943; Home Guard training in the park; the transfer to a German Prisoner of War Hospital in 1944 with particular reference to Peter Probst, his art and friendship with local families.

Correction to Text

Following more recent consultation (2023) with staff from the museum dedicated to the 101st Airborne Division at Littlecote House in Berkshire, it is no longer thought likely that the hospital was created specifically for the 101st Division, though members of the division most probably did use it.

Years:
c. 1996
1940-1948
Author:
Sarah Finch-Crips
Type:
Pamphlet
Location:
Private Collection
Copyright:
Swindon Borough Council
Last updated on:
Saturday 25th May 2024

Items of Interest

Mr and Mrs Harry Gough at Lydiard Park
Mr and Mrs Harry Gough at Lydiard Park

Mr and Mrs Harold (Harry) Gough c1940's. Harry Gou...

Painting of Lydiard House by Peter Probst, 1947
Painting of Lydiard House by Peter Probst, 1947

Painting of Lydiard House by German POW Peter Prob...

Christmas at Lydiard Park - a wartime ghost story narrated by the author, Elizabeth St.John
Christmas at Lydiard Park - a wartime ghost story narrated by the author, Elizabeth St.John

A heart warming and atmospheric Christmas story re...

Photographs (10) of American servicemen at 302nd Station Hospital, Lydiard Park
Photographs (10) of American servicemen at 302nd Station Hospital, Lydiard Park

This group of informal photographs show American s...