Letter from William Ham Bevan (From This Is Wiltshire)

Letter from William Ham Bevan

2:00pm Monday 15th March 2010 in

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DO any readers of the Swindon Advertiser remember Shrivenham American University?

For just six months at the end of 1945, the US Army operated a fully-fledged university at Shrivenham, on the site of what is now the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Though its doors were open for just two terms, it offered a full range of university courses to American troops waiting to return home after World War II.

It was modelled on an American campus, with everything including lecture theatres, a gridiron for American football and even a soda fountain on site.

Many Swindon girls visited the university for its weekly dances. Indeed, a young local who was to become a global celebrity - Diana Fluck, the future Diana Dors - was a life model for its art class.

I'm currently researching the history of Shrivenham American University, and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has any recollections or information about it: please contact me via email at mail@williamhambevan.com or on 029 2066 8374.

WILLIAM HAM BEVAN The Old Bakery Severn Road Cardiff