The Preston Black History Group are holding a celebratory event commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Bamber Bridge on Saturday 21st June.
On the evening of Thursday 24th June 1943, a dispute broke out in Bamber Bridge when a group of US Military Police attempted to apprehend Private Eugene Nunn, a Black American soldier of the US 8th Army Quartermaster Truck Company, for not wearing the correct uniform.
Faring the worse – particularly given that the local population showed solidarity with the Black soldiers – the MPs returned with reinforcements and events spiralled, with a running battle taking place during the night ranging from Ye Olde Hob Inn to the American army camp at Adams Hall, which resulted in the death of Private William Crossland and, eventually, the conviction of 27 Black American soldiers.
The Battle is the focus of a long-standing research and remembrance project by the Preston Black History Group, who first commemorated the event in 2013, alongside a range of partners.
This year’s celebration – which is free to attend – is taking place between 1 and 6pm at Ye Olde Hob Inn on Church Road in Bamber Bridge, and will see a History Walk, children’s activities, military vehicles, live themed music and food & drinks.
If anyone is interested, please feel free to head down – it promises to be a brilliant celebration of a highly significant piece of local history.
