D-Day Graffiti Wall

An unlikely memorial to the two million American troops who passed through Southampton, the ‘Graffiti Wall’ bears the names of numerous men who scratched their names into the bricks sometime before their embarkation for the D-Day beaches. The location of the wall, very close to the docks, suggests that the men may have been queued in the streets surrounding the docks whilst awaiting a ship, carving their names in the meanwhile. The wall has unfortunately begun to crumble in places and without a barrier to protect it, will only worsen over time. However, the Maritime Archaeology Trust has conducted a project to digitally document the names etched into the wall and the names can now be explored via an excellent digital 3D model accessible on their website.  

Of the many names on the wall, a number have been identified and traced to individuals who served in the Battle of the Bulge. Not much is known about many of the men, but amongst them are fascinating stories such as that of James Dodd, who arrived in Southampton in December 1944 and served with the 449^th Quartermasters Corps, a service unit made up of Black and African Americans. The Quartermasters were responsible for many of the logistical requirements supporting combat troops such as food and fuel, and as such James’ unit had the important role of ensuring that advancing companies had a steady supply of fuel available at supply points.