4th September 2011. Col. Edward D. Shames visited Littlecote House near Hungerford in Wiltshire as part of the Stephen Ambrose 'Band of Brothers' tour. Ed, a veteran of the American 101st Airborne Division, was stationed in the area before jumping into Normandy on D-Day. The Battlefield Commission he earnt at Carentan he received in the Great Hall at Littlecote on his return to England. He then joined the famous Band of Brothers as Second Lieutenant just before Operation Market Garden. Ed gained the reputation of being a tough officer and being a stickler for detail and discipline, but also for getting the job done and for getting his men back home. We were privileged to spend the day in Ed's company along with members of the 'Screaming Eagles LHG' and some old friends - the lady in the mauve coat was his hairdresser in 1943/4 - as they toured Littlecote House and drove through the local countryside. The day ended in traditional style at nearby Aldbourne and a visit to the Crown Hotel for Ed to revisit another old friend, English beer! A great day, and a great man. The photographs of the day are in the Re-Enactments section of our website - CandA images: Welcome For more information on Col Shames there is an interview with him on theEasy Company Website - Men of easy company
It looks like a good day was had by all. Regards Tom Yeah, it was a good day, and the weather was kind, Ed was a great guy to talk to, in fact the whole party were fun. Bob Gehrett, a veteran of B Co, 101st Airborne came over here in April and had a tour round the area in a small military vehicle convoy - the weather was foul but again we had a great day. Have added some pics - quite why we were all walking round Ramsbury Airfield taking photos in what felt like a monsoon escapes me!