President Obama asked to replace our bullet-riddled plaque

10:30am Wednesday 9th December 2009

By Jeremy Grimaldi

PRESIDENT Barack Obama is being urged to replace a bronze sign in Liddington used as target practice by American soldiers before the D-Day invasions.

Mike Pringle, director of Swindon Cultural Partnership, wrote to the president to notify him of an “interesting piece of history” which saw members of the 101st Airbourne Division shoot holes in the sign at Liddington Hill.

The ‘Easy Company’ paratroopers and soldiers, made famous in the television series Band of Brothers aired in 2001, were mostly stationed in Ramsbury and Aldbourne, near to where the sign remains today.

Dr Pringle (pictured above with the plaque) has sent his unusual request to replace the plaque, which bears the name of two of Swindon’s most famous sons – writers Richard Jefferies and Alfred Williams, In the letter he said: “Please believe me when I say we hold no negative thoughts about the sign being used as a target.

“On the contrary, we think it is quite amusing (and are impressed by some nice grouping in the lower right quadrant).

“We see a replacement sign as an opportunity for a really positive cross-Atlantic cultural gesture, if the United States would consider being involved in its creation. We imagine, for example, a sign that not only celebrates our historic writers, but also Swindon’s relationship with the USA during the Second World War.

He added that although it may not be a big deal for America it would be hugely significant to the people of Swindon.

“Today, we have strong ties with the US military through nearby airbases Lyneham and Fairford, and this small project will help us to cement that relationship even further while celebrating the different threads of our town’s fascinating history,” said Dr Pringle.

Richard Jefferies, who was born at Coate in 1848, was an English nature writer, noted for his depiction of English rural life. His novels include Bevis, in 1882, a classic children’s book, and After London, in 1885, an early work of science fiction.

Alfred Williams, born in 1877, was a self-taught poet, and wrote books including Life in a Railway Factory, in 1915, at night after completing a gruelling day’s work in the Great Western Railway works in Swindon.

Dr Pringle’s letter was also sent to Major General Campbell, Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division and the National Executive Secretary, 101st Airborne Division Association.