1944 We Were Here: African American GIs in Dorset

1944 We Were Here: African American GIs in Dorset

Two black speech mark icons, representing oral history

Your Heritage

Alderney & Bourne Valley
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Development Education in Dorset (DEED)
£34900
Sharing stories of families and the community in Dorset during 1944 as they prepared for the D-Day landings in France.

Educational charity, Development Education in Dorset (DEED), undertook this two-year project to increase awareness and understanding of the contribution of African American soldiers to Dorset communities and the Allied forces during WWII.

Working with volunteers from the community, the project recorded interpretations of the D-Day landings preparations to share across generations ensuring their place in history was preserved. Local stories were linked to those from families in the USA and around the world. 

The legacy of collected stories, photos and film from descendants were also featured in:

  • a touring exhibition
  • public talks and workshops
  • school drama workshops working with a local theatre
  • a booklet