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We recently uncovered a World War II-era Coca-Cola glass bottle at our Service Training Centre in Chorley.

During renovations of a 1940s fountain, Joe Fannon – one of our maintenance support team members – found a relic that hints at the area’s fascinating military past. The Coca-Cola bottle is extremely well-preserved, although its contents were likely enjoyed around 80 years ago!

The bottle was made by Universal Glass Bottlers in Castleford, West Yorkshire, back in 1943. We can tell its age thanks to its markings and the fact that the glass lacks its characteristic green tint. This is because copper was omitted from the manufacturing process during the war.

Did you know that Washington Hall was once a United States Army Air Force (USAAF) base? During the Second World War, tens of thousands of American troops passed through Chorley, either at the start of their duty or happily on their way back stateside.

One of these soldiers likely enjoyed this refreshing beverage, served from the American Red Cross’s ‘Aeroclub’ that was located nearby. These were set up to cater for the American airmen and ground crew, serving refreshments like Coca-Cola, hotdogs, doughnuts, and coffee – all familiar tastes for homesick soldiers. Due to rationing, British civilians were unlikely to get their hands on such luxuries in 1943.

Alternatively, it could have been served from a mobile canteen; Washington Hall’s mobile canteen was nicknamed ‘Albama’ (sic), probably after the camp’s commander Colonel Gayle, who hailed from the US state of Alabama.

Coca-Cola wasn’t the only home comfort that the American airmen and ground crew enjoyed. There was even a baseball diamond on the site, where those who were off duty could enjoy their down time with friends.

This glass bottle gives us a fascinating glimpse of what life was like at Washington Hall back in 1943, when thousands of American soldiers passed through the area.

Thank you to Joe, who carefully recovered this artifact that could so easily have been lost to time. Thank you also to our Business Systems Manager Euan Withersby and the Bottle Research Group for their assistance in identifying the bottle’s markings.

For more information on our Service Training Centre’s history, you can check out Euan’s book, Greenhorns and Happy Warriors - A History of Washington Hall, Army Air Forces Station 591 (Chorley).