Inspired by the film “Masters of the Air: The Friendly Invasion”, Wymondham Heritage Museum is staging an exhibition celebrating the arrival of the American Airforce in Britain in 1942. The display was put together by Luara Osadciw with help from museum display manager Sarah Standley.

“I’m half American so I was eager to do it,” Laura said. “Sarah provided some stories and first hand documents from her personal archive. There’s a mix of local and general documents.”

The display narrates the impact of the GIs’ “invasion” on the area and the town. They attended dances, visited pubs and introduced such “luxuries” as peanut butter, chewing gum and Nylons.

With Norfolk being flat, it was ideal for airfields as aircraft could take off and land on level ground. There were 18 air bases in the county with many located close to Wymondham including Thorpe Abbots, Hethel, Deopham Green and Old Buckenham. Around 50,000 personnel were serving at them.

Also included in the display is the story of how Morley Hospital was established, the servicemen it treated and the impact D-Day had on it. And it wasn’t just men that descended on Britain. There were a significant number of women contributing to the war effort. Several American Red Cross nurses worked at Morley with many other women filling clerical, nursing and support roles. Morley Hospital closed on June 8th, 1945. In 1951 it became the site of Wymondham College.

This fascinating exhibition, which boasts many photographs taken in the town and at Morley Hospital, reflects how the Americans contributed to life in Wymondham. It can be found in the museum’s main gallery. Details of the museum and The Bridewell Tearoom opening times and the many other displays can be found at thewhm.org.uk

A main feature of the museum’s Masters of the Air exhibition is the story of Pamela Standley, a Wymondham girl, and the American GI she fell hopelessly in love with. Her niece, Sarah Standley, has pieced together Pamela’s poignant story.

Pamela met John “Johnny” Fellowes, at a dance held at what is now Wymondham High School and they formed a close relationship going to dances, the cinema and exploring the local area.

John flew 30 missions before it was time for him to return to the United States. The two kept in close correspondence, but John’s letters became less frequent and finally stopped.

Sarah says: “Pamela never married or had children. She considered John Fellowes to be the real love of her life.”

The full story story of “Love in Wymondham” is displayed with photographs of Pamela and John. Also on show is a dress made for Pamela by her mother in April 1944 which she wore for dances with Johnny and kept safely for the rest of her life. It now belongs to Sarah.