The search for the Black Soldiers

Chaz Harrison
BBC Northampton

Mike Parnell from the Victoria Centre in Wellingborough is looking for more information about items found linked to black soldiers.

They were found during the centres refurbishment in 1999 under the floorboards but 10 years on questions are still to be answered.

A knife and two spent cartridges from the 1930s were just some of the items found.

Mike hopes to find out more information for Black History month.

"Its been really difficult to find out information on the soldiers as most of the people who would remember these soldiers are getting older, some having memory loss."

Wanting to know more

Mike has searched overseas "I contacted the Department of the Army in the States to see if they could help and they sent me a letter about the soldiers clarifying they were stationed in Wellingborough."

The soldiers were members of the U.S. Army Air Forces which owned depot Q-102 in Wellingborough during the Second World War. These soldiers saved local children during a bombing raid and were awarded a 'Black Heroes Award' in 2005.

During the war black soldiers were commonly assigned to quartermaster units separated from their white counterparts.

Just some of the items found at the centre

The Victoria centre used to be a congregational Church, part of the United Reformed Church before the centre was formed in 1979 and the black soldiers regularly used it.

Mike has very few clues of the history of the black soldiers and is appealing for more information.

"It's great finding clues about the people who owned the items but we have come to a stand still, not because we haven't been looking but because information seems sparse."

American and British cigarette boxes

Other items found include an American uniform brass button, American and British cigarette boxes, and two draughts pieces.

If you can help shed anymore light on these articles then the Victoria Centre wants to hear from you, contact the Victoria Centres main reception on 01933 277400.