Bridgwater historian relives encounter with US war hero (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater historian relives encounter with US war hero

7:10am Thursday 13th January 2011 in News By David Hemming

'HANG tough' - the immortal words uttered by the war hero who inspired a hit US TV show and will be forever etched in the memory of one Bridgwater historian.

Iris Rowe, of Westonzoyland, and her late husband Maurice named their old house in Cornwall CURRAHEE in tribute to Major Richard 'Dick' Winters, former leader of Company E, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division - known as Easy Company.

During the invasion of Normandy in the Second World War, Dick led 13 of his men in destroying an enemy battery and obtained a detailed map of German defences along Utah Beach.

CURAHEE was the Company's war cry and after persuading an American journalist to pass on his address, Iris wrote to Dick, who died at the age of 92 last week, to let him know.

She said: “We had a great deal of respect for the 101st Airborne Division so that's why we named our house after the war cry.

“I wrote to him because I wanted him to know we appreciated what they did for us in the war.”

Dick and his Company's wartime exploits provided the inspiration for the popular 2001 series Band of Brothers Iris was thrilled to receive a letter back from Dick thanking her for her support and enclosing a signed photo of himself before signing off with the phrase 'Hang Tough'.

She added: “Sadly I never met Dick in the flesh but I think he was there when Maurice and I attended the private showing of the first two episodes of Band of Brothers.”

5 years ago January 17, 2006 JUST three feet from shoppers, and only 20 yards from the town's community hospital, Bridgwater's rat population was spiralling out of control.

The Mercury observed scores of rodents running unchecked alongside pavements, scurrying across the Town Bridge, within inches of oblivious shoppers, and congregating on Salmon Parade.

Sedgemoor District Council admitted it could have to lose the Town Hall - the home of Bridgwater's Carnival Concerts.

The announcement was made as part of the local authority's plans to cut costs in its upcoming budget review.

15 years ago January 16, 1996 THE viability of Bridgwater's town centre came under threat with councillors warned swift action would have to be taken to improve its poor image and attract new stores.

Sedgemoor District Council's economic and development bosses were told an action plan was needed to revitalise the town centre and ensure its future prosperity.

A JOURNALIST who was flung into a Nigerian jail was released following help from Bridgwater MP Tom King and other diplomatic pressure.

Paul Adams was arrested while reporting in the oil producing area of Ogoniland. His parents, from Enmore, contact the MP to ask him to intervene and have him freed.

25 years ago January 15, 1986 SEDGEMOOR suffered another crushing employment blow with the projected closure of Dairy Crest Foods' Creamery at Bason Bridge, near Highbridge, with the loss of 136 jobs.

The shock announcement meant the end of the 79-year-old factory and a gloomy 1986 for the workers.

WESTONZOYLAND Parish Council members said the long-running teachers' pay dispute was damaging the future of local children.

They also lashed out at the chronic problem of under-achievement at Sydenham comprehensive school in Parkway, Bridgwater.