8th March 1941

 

Brookwood American Chapel

The Brookwood American Cemetery located in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, is the largest American cemetery in the UK. There are 468 burials, of whom 41 are unknown and the names of over 563 are commemorated in the chapel.

USCGC Cutter Tampa

Most of the 563, are names are from those who were on board the USCGC Cutter Tampa, which was torpedoed and sunk in the Bristol Channel, on the 26^th September 1918, by UB-91.  The Chapel also commemorates the first American vessel to lost during the First World War, USS

USS Alcedo

Alcedo, sunk on the 5^th November 1917, by a single torpedo fired by UC-71.

Situated on each of the corners of the Chapel is an Eagle.

The Eagle is the national symbol of America. The Eagle, having been first used in 1782 the seal was used to authenticate certain documents held by the federal government of the United States. Since 1935, the Eagle was first seen on the one-dollar bill, and today it used it used by the military, various flags and used on the American passports.

The Eagle is represented by holding in its left talon, 13 arrows and in the right a talon an olive branch, not specified by law, the olive branch had 3 leaves and 13 olives.

The number 13 refers to the 13 original states:- Province of Massachusetts Bay; Province of New Hampshire; Connecticut Colony; Colony of Rhode Island; Delaware Colony; Providence of New York; Providence of New Jersey; Province of Pennsylvania; Colony of Virginia; Providence of Maryland; Province of North Carolina; Province of South Caroline and Province of Georgia.

Situated around the American Cemetery are 13 Eagles. However, if myth would have it that Benjamin Franklin, wanted to use American’s national bird the Turkey as the national symbol.

Before American entry into the Second World War, December 1941, the Royal Air Force crated three Eagle Squadrons, who were formed by volunteer pilots from America. The British Government was persuaded by wealth American businessman Charles Sweeny residing in London at the time. Sweeny and his rich contacts bore the price the cost of processing and sending men from American to the UK to be trained. The requirements that had to met was that the men had to aged between 20 and 31 years, with eyesight of 20/40 correctable to 20/20 and had to have 300 hours of certified flying time.

One of the first squadrons to have been formed was the No. 71 Squadron, having been formed during the September 1940 as part of the RAF’s build-up to the Battle of Britain, October 1940. The squadron became operational for defensive duties on 5^th February 1941. The pilots flew, Hawker Hurricane Mk I.

One of those early pilots was P. R. Anderson.

Paul Roger Anderson

Paul Roger Anderson was born 1916. He was the son of Jesse Thomas and Nona Ellen Anderson; and the husband of Elsie Verda Anderson. He resided at Sacramento, California.

8^th March 1941, Anderson lost his life. His death wasn’t caused by flying. During the evening of the 8^th, Anderson, went to the Café de Paris, West End, London.

Café de Paris opened 1924, becoming very successful with visits from the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII.  Some of the early performers included Dorothy Dandridge, Marlene Dietrich, Ken “Snakehips” Johnson and Louise Brooks. Brooks made  history not long after the opening introduced the Charleston to London.

Café de Paris

At the outbreak of the Second World War, the venue lowered its entrance price, thus became less socially exclusive and attracted a more mixed clientele, including members of armed forces on leave. The venue capitalised on its situation having been a club underground, beneath the Rialto cinema.

P. R. Anderson grave
Brookwood Military Cemetery

Sadly, on the 8^th, the Café de Paris was bombed shortly after the start of the performance. Two bombs fell down the ventilation shaft of the basement ballroom and exploded in front of the stage. 80 people were injured and 34 people were killed. Anderson was one of the 34. He was buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery.

The performer was 26-year-old Ken “Snakehips” Johnson along with his saxophonist Dave “Baba” Williams. Prior to his performance Johnson was enjoy drinks with friends at the Embassy Club, and they tried to persuade him not to perform.

Ken "Snakehips" Johnson

Ken “Snakehips” Johnson, born 1914, Georgetown, British Guiana. During the 1930s and the early 1940s was the leading figure in the black British music.

A year before his death, he began a relationship with Gerald Hamilton, whom was 20 years older.  After his death, Hamilton, wouldn’t travel without a photograph of Johnson and refer to him as “My Husband”.

Johnson’s funeral took place at Golders Green Crematorium on the 14^th. His ashes were placed at Borlase School, where he attended.