I visited Marston Bigot in July, 2009. My dad was there for about 60 days in late 1944 with the 1262nd combat engineers prior to service in France, Belgium & Germany. I have some nice photos of the grounds and the town of Frome which I would be glad to share. Also a little history of how the battalion came to be there, what they did there, etc.
My father was also stationed at Marston Bigot with the 1262d Engineer Combat Battalion, which underwent training there on assembly of the Bailey bridge, prior to crossing the Channel. I recently met a gentleman from Frome who, if I recall correctly, attends Rotary Club meetings at Marston House and who indicated that U.S. troops stationed there did considerable damage to the interior. Any such damage, I understand, would not have been caused by the 1262d — my father has said that his outfit lived in tents on the grounds and most, if not all, never entered the house.
Mr.Marinelli, please email me at trh177@cox.net. I have a lot of information that you may be interested in. Also I would be interested in obtaining any information, photos, etc., that you may have and would be willing to add to what we already have.
Thomas R. Hopkins said,
December 29, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I visited Marston Bigot in July, 2009. My dad was there for about 60 days in late 1944 with the 1262nd combat engineers prior to service in France, Belgium & Germany. I have some nice photos of the grounds and the town of Frome which I would be glad to share. Also a little history of how the battalion came to be there, what they did there, etc.
Francis C. Marinelli said,
July 8, 2010 at 4:41 pm
My father was also stationed at Marston Bigot with the 1262d Engineer Combat Battalion, which underwent training there on assembly of the Bailey bridge, prior to crossing the Channel. I recently met a gentleman from Frome who, if I recall correctly, attends Rotary Club meetings at Marston House and who indicated that U.S. troops stationed there did considerable damage to the interior. Any such damage, I understand, would not have been caused by the 1262d — my father has said that his outfit lived in tents on the grounds and most, if not all, never entered the house.
T.R. Hopkins said,
July 8, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Mr.Marinelli, please email me at trh177@cox.net. I have a lot of information that you may be interested in. Also I would be interested in obtaining any information, photos, etc., that you may have and would be willing to add to what we already have.
Thanks,
T.R. Hopkins