Battle of Bamber Bridge 80th Anniversary Commemorative Service
at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church, Sun 25th June 2023
By Bernie Velvick, Preston Black History Group, photos by Tony Maiden, Preston Black History Group.
Thanks to Bamber Bridge Methodists for all their support.
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
At 10.30 on Sunday 25th June 2023 Bamber Bridge Methodists kindly welcomed us into their Sunday morning service to commemorate the Battle of Bamber Bridge which took place 80 years ago on 24th June 1943.
The service was introduced by Rev Karen Le Mouton, the minister, and a reading was taken by Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council.
Interview with Rev Karen Le Mouton
Lay Preacher Denise Johnson and Minister Rev Karen Le Mouton Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group), Prof Alan Rice, UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research, MIDEX (Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile), Prof Gregory S Cooke (US Film maker and educator), Kim Lomax (Mayoress of South Ribble Borough Council), Chris Lomax (Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council). Clinton Smith (Chair, Preston Black History Group)
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group told the congregation of his 40-year journey to discover the story of the battle and bring it into its rightful place in history and in the understanding of the people of Bamber Bridge.
Prof Gregory Cooke (US Film maker and educator) gave a spirited speech about his experience of ‘divine calling’ that took him to visit Bastogne in Belgium where, in the WW2 war museum, he first saw pictures of Black American Servicemen who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most significant engagements of US troops in WW2. His journey of discovery led him to seek out African American men and women who served in the US armed forces in WW2 and make his film ‘Choc’late Soldiers from the USA’ (shown on the evening of 24th June review here) that tells their stories in their own voices. He also discovered the impact of the largely positive experiences that Black troops had with the white locals around the camps. This was the first time many of the soldiers had been treated with respect and camaraderie by white people. It made them question their experience of fighting Fascism in Europe while experiencing a lack of human rights and the effects of ‘Jim Crow’ segregation at home in the US. Many went on to active campaigning for equal rights during the decades following WW2 after they returned home. It can be said that the experiences of Black Soldiers in Europe had a direct effect on the development of the US civil rights movement.
Rev Karen Le Mouton and Prof Gregory Cooke Prof Gregory S Cooke addresses the congregation
Gregory expressed his appreciation of the people of Bamber Bridge and their response to the Black GIs and of the 80th commemoration that keeps the story of their experiences alive. He first came to Bamber Bridge to interview local people about their experiences of the time the 1511 Quartermasters Regiment was stationed Mounsey Rd, Bamber Bridge – some of which is part of his film documentary. He also came here in 2013 for the 70th anniversary of the battle and expressed his satisfaction at the way the 80th anniversary has reached so many more people.
Interview with Prof Gregory S Cooke, US Film maker and educator.
Denise Johnson, Lay Preacher, Bamber Bridge Methodists gave a sermon where she asked us to consider how our actions have impacted on the people around us and asked us to share between us an example where we have gone outside our normal routine to help others.
Interview with Denise Johnson, Lay Preacher, Bamber Bridge Methodists
Eunice Byers, aged 106 and a lifelong member of the church, was present for the service and an interview with Clinton from PBHG and filmed by UCLAN Film and Media Lecturers was shown to the congregation. Eunice talked about her experiences during WW2, about Black US Servicemen attending services at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church and visiting her home. She is also the last known living witness of the Battle which passed by her bedroom window overlooking Station Rd in Bamber Bridge.
Clinton Smith, Chair of Preston Black History Group Interviewed Eunice Byers, aged 106, the last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge. The interview was filmed and edited with thanks to UCLAN Film and Media Lecturers.
After the service we took photos to record the events and Gregory Cooke presented Eunice with framed photos from the interview taken by Tony Maiden, PBHGs photographer.
Prof Gregory Cooke presents commemorative photos from PBHG to Eunice Byers Kim and Chris Lomax (Mayoress and Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council), Eunice Byers, (aged 106), last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge and Clinton Smith Chair PBHG Clinton Smith greets Eunice Byers Sylius Toussaint (PBHG member), Rev Karen Le Mouton and Prof Gregory Cooke Prof Alan Rice talks to Eunice Byers about the bible she received from an American GI in 1943 Members of Preston Black History Group with Prof Gregory Cooke, Mayor and Mayoress Chris and Kim Lomax, Eunice Byers and her family.
Interview with Eunice Evans, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), niece of Eunice Byers (aged 106, last known witness of the Battle of Bamber Bridge)
Interview with Chris Lomax, Mayor of South Ribble Borough Council.
Interview with Danny Lyons, ‘Brigger’ (Bamber Bridge resident), Film maker, Sculptor, and local historian
Visit our Battle of Bamber Bridge webpage to find coverage of the rest of the anniversary weekend events
Including a History Walk of the site of the battle by Prof Alan Rice, UCLAN, IBAR (Institute for Black Atlantic Research, MIDEX (Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile)
