While the most audacious seaborne invasion ever attempted was taking place, a very different drama was being played out in the West Country. At the centre of it was Leroy Henry – an African American soldier on death row in wartime Britain, but there was an extraordinary campaign that set him free.
Author Dr Kate Werran joins Jo Durrant in conversation, to shine a spotlight on a little-known story from a famous moment in history. Kate is passionate about WW2 social history, and has carried out extensive research into the stories of the Black American army that was stationed in Britain before, during and after D-Day.
Tickets £7.50 / £6 / £5 Museum Members - Membership is free to join
Tea & Coffee included
Book online here or call 01453 763394.
About Dr Kate Werran:
“I am passionate about social history in WW2 and have specialist knowledge of the USA’s ‘Jim Crow’ army that was stationed in Britain before, during and after D-Day.
My two books explore controversial courts-martial of African American soldiers in Britain for mutiny and rape in 1943/4. An American Uprising in Second World War England: Mutiny in the Duchy (Pen & Sword, 2020) and Black Yanks: Defending Leroy Henry in D-Day Britain (The History Press, 2024) formed the basis of my PhD by Publication in History from the University of Exeter (2025).
This came after a decade of working for TV documentarian Denys Blakeway, for whom I produced critically acclaimed 20th Century history programmes about subjects ranging from Churchill’s ‘war’ with his generals and the Abdication Crisis to films about the Falklands conflict, the Miners’ Strike and Live Aid. Previously, I qualified as a journalist after serving an apprenticeship with Westminster Press’s Watford Observer.”
This interview-style event is part of Jo Durrant’s ‘Our Beautiful Universe’ Saturday afternoon series in the Museum’s Garden Pavilion. Jo is the award-winning presenter of the independent arts and science podcast ‘Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe’. She’s a highly respected and accomplished interviewer and event chair, and a familiar face at literature, history, and science festivals. Jo is freelance but for over 20 years was a presenter, producer & reporter with BBC radio and interviewed hundreds of people, from Melanie C to Tim Peake.
The conversation will be followed by a chance to ask questions and chat over tea and coffee if you wish, or explore the museum and walled garden.
