5th October 2011

LYME REGIS: Book recounts war-time race riot in the Square

By Philip Evans

A NEW book, described as a “drama-documentary”, recounts one of the most disturbing war-time incidents in Lyme Regis.

Prior to the D-Day landings hundreds of American GIs were stationed in the town and on the night that Jimmy Cagney entertained the troops in the Marine Theatre there was a riot in The Square between the white and black troops.

The book, written by former Lyme Regis resident Alan Dearling, is called “The Friendly Invasion” and combines fact with fiction in telling a series of stories about the impact of the GIs on Lyme and its people.

The riot did happen but was quickly hushed up by the authorities. In the book, however, the author describes the fighting as “bloody and intense”, resulting in the death of two black GIs who were stabbed to death.

At a book signing at Serendip Books in Broad Street, Mr Dearling told the View from Lyme Regis that the novel was the result of considerable research, with great help coming from international author John Fowles and Jo Draper at Lyme Regis Museum.

Mr Dearling said: “Along the way I interviewed dozens of locals and a few American GIs and amassed literally hundreds of books on the period.”

One fellow writer who read the book before publication commented: “I really enjoyed the clever blend of fact and fiction. I think it’s a cracking story.”

• The book is available from Serendip Books, Broad Street, Lyme Regis, for £5.99. An interview with Alan Dearling can also be seen on LymeTV.

PICTURE: Author Alan Dearling signs a copy of his "The Friendly Invasion" book for former colleague Michael Jones (left) and Nigel Clarke