American Servicemen Playing Softball

Image Details

American servicemen playing a softball game in Southport.

Comments	The Palace Hotel in Birkdale, Southport was used as American Red Cross Service Club from September 1942 until September 1944. The Palace soon became a favourite with the G.Is and made Southport very popular with the U.S Army. In February 1943 the Palace hotel became a rest home station for the American Air Force known as A.A.F Station 524. The hotel became one of 16 rest homes for combat airmen from the 8th and 9th Air Force, and the only place in Europe to take entire bomber crews as one unit. On average 350 -400 airmen visited the Palace rest home each week. The American Red Cross Service Club supported entertainment activities at Sunnyside Mansions Hotel, which was situated on the corner of Knowsley Road and Saunders Street, Southport. Many Anglo- US marriages started at The Palace and Sunnyside Mansions, and Mrs Agnes Broughton Director of the ARC paid tribute to the British girls who volunteered in the Canteen and supported recreational activities and dances. The Palace Hotel was demolished in 1969, and Sunnyside Mansions was demolished to make way for a modern apartment building.
Location	Southport
Photograph Date	1942-43
Photograph ID	NS_P100_ARC-23