Allies Gallery

American Flag flying from Paddington Station hotel on July 4th 1941

This image shows the American Flag flying from the front of the hotel at Paddington Station on July 4th, American Independence Day, 1941. At this stage the US was not involved in the Second World War, but their support for the British side was evident with the Neutrality Patrols by US warships in the waters of the Western Hemisphere reporting the movements of German Ships to the British Navy, and the supply of money, munitions and food to support the British war effort. In return the GWR, by flying the Star Spangled Banner, was demonstrating its spirit of comradeship with the United States. By late 1942, almost a year after America had joined the war, a close alliance between the US and the GWR was confirmed by the receipt of a letter from Colonel N. Ryan, Chief of Transportation for the US army, who wrote to James Milne, GWR General Manager, to thank the company for all the support they had shown to the US army

© STEAM Museum of the GWR