{"title":"Books by Martin Collins","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781858584935","title":"The Friendly Invasion of Leominster","description":"\"The Friendly Invasion of Leominster\" relates the activities of a number of American units based in Leominster during World War II. During its history the Herefordshire market town had been no stranger to invasions from across the Welsh border, but in 1943 it was to encounter an incursion of another type. The invasion of U.S. soldiers was a friendly one, although not all of Leominster's residents recognised it as such at the time. On the outskirts of Leominster, Barons Cross became home to the doctors and nurses of the 76th and 135th U.S. Army General Hospitals and patients from the hostilities on the Continent. In the build up to D. Day, American units occupied camps in the grounds of Berrington Hall and in the town. Some of these units, such as the 5th Ranger Battalion and the 90th Infantry Division were to play a major part in the D. Day landings. Others, such as the 7th Armored Division and the 736th Field Artillery Battalion landed after D. Day and took part in the liberation of France. This book describes each unit's time in Leominster, using eyewitness accounts and photographs, and then follows the unit across the English Channel and through Europe.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308120125813,"sku":"9781858584935","price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781858584935_89512a04-c7bd-4802-ac14-56b56012d0b9.jpg?v=1786029095"},{"product_id":"9781858585659","title":"U.S. Army Hospital Center 804","description":"U.S. Army Hospital Center 804' tells the story of five U.S. Army hospitals located on the Shropshire\/Flintshire border during World War II: Llanerch Panna, Penley, Iscoyd Park, Oteley Deer Park and Halston Hall. They were built by British contractors during 1942-44 and used by American hospital units until the end of the war in Europe. When the American units left the area some of the hospital sites were used by displaced Poles. For a few months at the end of 1944\/beginning of 1945 the hospital at Iscoyd Park treated German Prisoners of War. The headquarters of the 5 hospitals - Hospital Center 804 was first located in Gwemheylod (Flintshire) and later moved to Whitchurch (Shropshire). U.S. ARMY HOSPITAL CENTER 804 An AawMolltis U\u0026amp; Military Hospitals in lb. This book looks at the day to day activities at the hospitals using archive material and accounts and previously unpublished photos from those who were there at the time and their relatives. It also looks in depth at the stories of some of the patient-soldiers who passed through the hospitals. It touches on the impact the occupants of the camps and other U.S. camps in the area, had on the surrounding towns, with particular regard to Wrexham in Flintshire.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56308122321269,"sku":"9781858585659","price":13.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781858585659_42feed04-40ba-414d-b892-5db7c65d6e6f.jpg?v=1786029109"},{"product_id":"9781806340835","title":"London from the Top of a Bus","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt has often been said, ‘\u003cem\u003eTo see London, look up\u003c\/em\u003e!’ At street level what ones sees is often just the mundane, but above can be seen a galaxy of fascinating features.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis guide introduces the readers to the architecture of London through four bus journeys: two through the City of London and two through the City of Westminster. It describes what is progressively seen, including churches, pubs theatres, and sculptures. The reader is introduced to architectural terms used in describing buildings with a glossary and the derivation of street names.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMuch more is also included within these pages. The book is also peppered with interesting anecdotes that the author has collected from many sources and over many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile primarily focused on what can be seen from the top of the buses, this book will be of interest to those walking the routes on foot and to all who have an interest in London, its history and its architecture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56369247125877,"sku":"9781806340835","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781806340835_637bba07-a917-40bb-93bc-1665ff56bba7.jpg?v=1786028600"},{"product_id":"keepem-rollin-keepem-shootin-keepem-supplied","title":"Keep'em Rollin' Keep'em Shootin' Keep'em Supplied","description":"Keep 'em rollin', keep 'em shootin', keep 'em supplied was the motto of the U.S. Supply depot G-25, which was situated in Ashchurch, Gloucestershire during World War II. Its role was to supply U.S. troops in the U.K. and Europe with vehicles and armaments from 1942 until the end of the war. The depot, which had originally been a British Army supply depot, was entrusted to the U.S. forces as part of an agreement between British and American planning committees. G-25 soon became the largest U.S. military supply depot in the U.K. In 1943, as a result of British production plants being unable to assemble enough military vehicles for the U.S. forces imminently expected in the U.K. as part of Operation Bolero, a military vehicle assembly plant was established at the base. After D. Day, the demand for military vehicles declined and by mid-1945, the depot's main mission was to pack and return U.S. military equipment to the U.S. with a work-force consisting mainly of German P.O.W.s and civilian workers. In May 1946, the depot was handed back to the British Army. This book chronicles the wartime activities of G-25 and its satellite camps using archive materials and photos as well as stories from local people and G.I.s who served there. It also looks into the impact the soldiers (both white and black) had on the area around Tewkesbury.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57490168906101,"sku":"9781858587127","price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781858587127.jpg?v=1786442053"},{"product_id":"they-also-serve-who-stand-and-wait","title":"They Also Serve Who Stand and Wait","description":"'They Also Serve Who Stand And Wait' tells the story of the U.S. Replacement Depot at Pheasey Farms Estate in Great Barr, Birmingham during World War II. Part of the half-built housing estate was requisitioned by the British forces at the outbreak of the war and in 1942 the first group of American soldiers moved in. The book is a fascinating insight into the day to day activity on the base, with many moving accounts from those involved, and also deals with the impact that the American soldiers had on the surrounding area of Walsall and Birmingham.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509960614261,"sku":"9781858582047","price":13.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781858582047.jpg?v=1787130086"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-martin-collins.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}