Memorial bench honours refugees who started new life in Neilston

The Neilston War Memorial Association (NWMA) placed the bench, which was donated by David Ogilvie Engineering, of Kilmarnock, near 27 commemorative trees in Kingston Park.

The birch trees were planted last year to remember 27 Americans who lost their lives on the SS Henry Bacon – the last Allied ship to be sunk by the Luftwaffe.

They sacrificed their lives so that 19 Norwegian civilians could be rescued and eventually delivered to safety in Neilston.

The memorial bench has an intricate design

Matt Drennan, of NWMA, told the Barrhead News: “This bench is linked to the memorial that we already have in the park, which was once home to the refugees from Norway.

“The backplate of the bench depicts the rescue of the refugees from the Arctic sea off Norway and 19 Norwegians – mostly children and OAPs – bound for safety in Neilston, as well as the brave men of the American liberty ship SS Henry Bacon who fought to protect them.

“It’s great to see this grand wee bench fitted in the park where the Norwegians found safety and freedom back in the dark days of 1945.

“The cost to the American crew was heavy but these brave lads choose death before dishonour.”

The civilian refugees, from the island of Soroya, were evacuated in February 1945 by the Norwegian Military Services and the British Royal Navy.

Mostly children, women and the infirm, they had been forced to flee their war-ravaged homes when Soroya was besieged by Nazi forces.

They were transported to Scotland in a convoy of 38 merchant ships, accompanied by the Henry Bacon.

However, it was far from plain sailing.

Leaving Russian waters, the Henry Bacon suffered engine trouble and was subsequently attacked by 23 Luftwaffe bombers as it struggled to catch up with the rest of the convoy.

As a result, the boat was sunk and many of the crew sacrificed their lives to save the civilians, all of whom were rescued.

Not only did all of the refugees make it to Greenock alive, their number grew along the way when one woman gave birth to a baby boy during the journey.

They were taken to the Kingston Camp, in Doublehedges Road, where they stayed until September that year.

Built on ground that is now the Kingston Estate, several Nissen huts had been quickly assembled for use by evacuees from Glasgow but, instead, these became a safe haven for the refugees.

Matt has expressed his gratitude to David Ogilvie Engineering for providing the bench and dedication plaque free of charge.

“A big thanks goes to David and the employees for this most generous gift,” he added.

“The bench was delivered on my birthday, so I was well chuffed.”