A Terrifying Incident

I do not think this story was reported in the local press at the time because of it's sensitive nature. The year could have been 1945 I am not sure...The scene Worcester Road, early evening, the weather warm, fine and light.  I was alone in the attic bedroom of my home reading by the window.   The sash was open overlooking the narrow street and side door of 'The Talbot' public house which stood opposite.

This well known pub was at the corner of Evesham Street and Worcester Road. Once the site many years ago of 'The Vine Inn'.  I was suddenly disturbed by screams, splintering wood, glass being broken, and general pandemonium. Immediately jumping up, I peered out in time to see the backs of at least two soldiers, crash from the Talbot side door and race away into Evesham Street.  Moments later a group of American soldiers including an officer stumbled out on to the pavement. They had nasty wounds and I saw much blood.

There was shouting and screaming from the group, who were threatening to round up other U.S. soldiers in the town to find the attackers and give them a dose of the same medicine.   By that time my father was out of our front door and onto the road in his role of special constable.  The commotion brought people from the town, residents from Worcester Road, sight seers, customers and staff from The Talbot, all and sundry to the scene. The narrow road was completely blocked. It was mayhem.  Dad quite rightly got the wounded off the street and round the back into our garden. Mother was there with a bowl bathing injuries. Towels were soaking up blood.  The police were sent for and Dr. John Campbell Dow arrived with his bag to stitch what he could of the gashes etc. and attend the injured. Luckily he lived only a few doors away.

He was my doctor and a kind and gentle-man, who did a good job appreciated by all concerned. By that time the rear access to the house had to be bolted to stop the crowds of people invading the property.  The American officer later told my father that he had brought a group of his men into town as they were due to be shipped out. It was his treat, intended as a small celebration and his way of saying thank you and good-bye.

They had gone into the bar of the Talbot through the front door.  He had taken orders and approached the bar with two of his men to carry the drinks. There was someone already being served and as they waited, he took out what must have been a bulging wallet.

Immediately the group were attacked with bottles from behind. Chairs, tables, drinks etc..were kicked over as the wallet was snatched and two soldiers (said to be British by Talbot customers) made their escape.

A riot was being threatened. Our local police found the situation hard to handle and rightly called in the United States Military Police from Birmingham.

They arrived in town 'en masse' white helmets and batons waving, and quickly got the situation under control.

I was interviewed by the police and military and asked what I had seen.  It was, that I did not see the faces of the fleeing men, only their backs. They were not wearing American uniforms, but had on the rough khaki that British and some other foreign forces wore at the time.   It was believed the American officer's group might have been spotted as having money previously, and followed before the lightening attack.  I don't think anyone was apprehended even though the town was searched, but information was often withheld from the public in those days.  Dad was commended by both the military and local police for averting what could have been a dangerous situation, a true riot, had apposing factions caught up with each other.

My younger brother also viewed this awful scene as he watched from the bedroom window which overlooked the rear garden.

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