Hi All, I thought that for those who wouldn't be given the opportunity of visiting Aldbourne themselves, would like to see some pictures of the village as it is now. There's a few from the air where Easy company trained and some from the ground depicting Wild Bill's billet where the young ladies were found, Major Winter's billet etc. Credit goes to myself and Matt for the photos, the Guarnere family may use them for fun or reward if they so wish. Enjoy. I will post more from the actual training grounds when I visit them. Incidentally, Membury (the airfield from where Easy went to Holland), is about two miles away from Aldbourne, not in Devon as depicted on the Miniseries.


http://www.506pir.zoomshare.com/1.shtml/Aldbourne


http://www.506pir.zoomshare.com/1.shtml/Aldbourne%20Air

I live only 5 miles from the village but still enjoyed looking at these photos. thanks.

Hi,great pics!I never saw Aldbourne before!But one question,what' Winters bench?I know it has to do something with Dick Winters....

great pictures, thanks for posting,

welcome aboard !!!

Hi Chaps glad you like the photos and thanks for the welcome. Serb, with regards to Winter's bench, this has significance because this was where Winters met the Barnes family.

Major Winters (then Lt) was very homesick and had a walk in the churchyard to collect his thoughts. He walked to the top of the cemetary and Mr and Mrs Barned whom were tending to their son's grave (picture included), went to chat to him. Essentially they noticed he looked down. It was next day or a few days after (i can't remember which), that Mr & Mrs Barnes were asked to accomodate two soldiers from the village, they agreed, insisting that one of them was Lt Winters and essentially, that how the story goes.

Larry Alexander's book describes this scene very well and in fact Larry's book is a must when visiting Aldbourne.




Hi Misako, PM me as to your village name, the next time i'm flying over that way, i'll takes some pics for you

I think i know that story!He later visited them after he got his medal for Brecourt Manor!And they felt like their own son got it!Is it that family?

Great pictures.... thanks a lot! I've finished reading the major's book last month (Beyond Band of Brothers) and I am always curious to see what the described locations look like.

Did you also found the graves of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes... I believe that Major Winters couldn't find those when he visited Aldbourne some years ago. Both are supposed to be n the southside of the chuch.

Thanks, I didn't get to see Mr and Mrs barne's grave unfortunately, next time i go, i'll ahve a look. I haven't yet read the major's book, although I will soon. Trouble is, like Larry's book, I'm sure once you start reading, it's difficult to put it back down.




similiar, he went back top Aldbourne after Normandy with Easy Company and indeed many of the men considered Aldbourne home from home. It was at the end of the war during some leve, that Dick Winters went back to the Barne's house in Aldbourne, the only member to do so if i'm not mistaken. Instead of having leave in london, Dick Winters basically purchased some gardening tools and took care of Mrs Barne'd garden. Mr Barnes had undfortunetly by this time, passed on.

The fact that Winters went back to Aldbourne after the war, with no requirement to do so, tells you of the bond that that Winters' had formed with the Barne's.

The Barne's still feature prominantly in the village of Aldbourne too.

Wayneo - I appreciate the sentiment that my book is a "must" when visiting Aldbourne. Unfortunately, I have never been to the town myself, so I TRULY appreciated your photos. It was great to actually SEE the places Dick described to me. You are very lucky to have been there. Yes, I'd also like to see the graves of Mr. & Mrs. Barnes. I hope to get there myself someday soon and walk those streets.

Larry Alexander

Hi Larry, i'm pleased that you liked the photos, coming from yourself is quite an honour in itself. It has been a privilege to visit Aldbourne and the fact that the village is relatively unspoilt to that of the war, is even more of a blessing. If you get the chance to go, I recommend you speak with Matt who resides in Aldbourne, I can put you in touch with him when you decide to go. In the meantime, the next time I go there, I'll send some of the famous Aldbourne lardy-cake over.

Lardy cake? I look forward to it.

Thank you so much for these photos. I've never been to Aldbourne. It looks like a lovely village.
Very moving to see the real places.

Nathalie