ePetition details

Rededication of Art Gallery as WW2 HQ for US Army on D-Day

We the undersigned petition the council to ...that the Southampton City Art Gallery rooms when refurbished should be rededicated to the memory of the US Army who used them as the headquarters on D-Day and during Operation Overlord. Most people are not aware of the historical significance of these rooms and they were closed during the 80 years anniversary celebrations of D-Day. There was a plaque over the door to the rooms hidden in plain sight which was removed that states, 'Presented by the 14th Major Port US Army in acknowledgement of the generosity of the Borough of Southampton which during the mayoralty of Rex Stranger MC gratuitously provided this section of the Civic Center for use as headquarters of the Port. It was from offices established here that orders emanated directing the movement of the vast American armies through Southampton and other south coast ports between June 1944 and the end of hostilities in the great war for the liberation of Europe'.

It is suggested that the plaque is replaced and because the Second Front was planned and directed from these rooms there should also be a public dedication ceremony, lest we forget.

This ePetition runs from 31/07/2024 to 30/10/2024.

8 people have signed this ePetition.