The local USAAF HQ Administration centre
was located at:-
Wakes Hall on the A604 road between
Chappel and Earls Colne.
 |
This was their main
building and used for administration, issuing of passes, telephone
exchange etc
After hostilities had ended the USAAF departed and the building
was handed over to the War Dept (Ministry of Defence) As late as
1947/48 regular jeep patrols were still being sent out from this
building, checking the remaining bombs along the roadsides. |
To travel via the Guard Posts along the
Bures to Pebmarsh Rd, residents were sometimes forced to visit Wakes
Colne and collect the appropriate pass.
This happened more than once to a youngster who cycled from Pebmarsh
to Bures to school. The Guard would often refuse him passage along the
road without a valid pass. Although only 15 years of age he was still
required to visit Wakes Colne to collect a pass. This meant a complete
days loss of a days schooling.
Records indicate the presence of a Post Office (No 149NY)in the area.
This may well have been located here. The 149
is a sequential number assigned by the U. S. Army’s Adjutant General,
and NY indicates New York. All units in the European Theatre of
Operations (U. S. Army) had NY as their base Post Office.
Unfortunately, after extensive correspondence
with the present owners of the Hall (SCOPE) no documentary evidence
survived from the war years.
also:-
Vernons Rd Hospital, Chappel -
Black Notley Hospital - Braintree
25/06/05
Acknowledement
to Alan Cook, Sible Hedingham formerly Pebmarsh
Scope @ Wakes Hall
