A much-loved local historian is bringing back one of his most popular talks - all for a special cause. 

To raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Ken Gollop, of Lyme Regis, is sharing the tale of 'When the Yanks came to Lyme' - the build-up to the D-Day invasion 80 years ago.

A repeat of his talk that took place in the spring as part of the D-Day commemorations, Ken will share the story of the four companies of the US Army 16th Infantry Regiment that were stationed in Lyme Regis and the traces they left upon the town, including in the memory of the then eight-year old Ken.

Expect photos of familiar places being used for very different purposes, along with local legends who befriended the American troops.

Ken's talk, 'When the Yanks came to Lyme', takes place on Sunday, October 20, at 2.30pm at the Woodmead Halls, Lyme Regis.

Admission is £4 - all are welcome. 

The US Army comes to Lyme

The 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army arrived in Lyme Regis on November 6, 1943, and were to stay until May 17, 1944.

Part of the 1st Infantry Division, known as the ‘Big Red One’ (after their red shoulder flash). They were here for the build up to D-Day.

With a battalion strength of about 1,000 men, they had a considerable effect on Lyme’s population - then about 3,000 people, some of whom had left for the war. A tented camp was built in the fields now occupied by the Anning Road estate, and hotels and private residences across the town also used.

Having already seen action in the North African and the Sicilian invasions, the Battalion consisted of battle-hardened troops alongside raw teenage recruits who had come straight from the States. It was quite a culture shock for them to arrive in Dorset, and many lasting friendships were made.

During their time in Lyme the soldiers trained in the local countryside and took part in seaborne invasion exercises at Slapton Sands and in North Devon. After they left for D-Day their billets were taken over by other units of the US Army.

The SS Leopoldville Disaster The 66th Division Units in Lyme were expecting to spend Christmas 1944 in the town but on 23rd December orders were suddenly issued for them to move out. Reinforcements were urgently needed in the Ardennes for the now-famous Battle of the Bulge.

Turkeys and Christmas fare no longer needed by the troops were hurriedly given to the Red Cross for distribution to locals in the town. The journey to Southampton was made overnight, part-way in cattle trucks such was the hurry. One of the ships bound for France that night, the SS Leopoldville was torpedoed. It is not known if, or how many of the Lyme troops were amongst the 802 Americans who died that Christmas Eve.