On April 16, 1944, a young American soldier from Quincy, Massachusetts, boarded the RMS Queen Mary and crossed the pond. The ship, which had been turned into a troop transport for WWII, travelled unescorted and made the voyage in six days. After docking in Greenoch, Scotland, the young American and his fellow soldiers traveled by train to Wales.
Joseph Halpin, this 20-year-old soldier, is my father. More than 60 years later, he still recalls with great fondness the months from April to June of 1944, when he lived in the US Army barracks in the town of Denbigh, North Wales, surrounded by beautiful countryside and warm, friendly people.
My father, Joe, remembers a convent near the barracks where he met a Columbian priest, Father James Donahue. Fr Donahue eventually moved back to the United States where he visited Joe and his family in Massachusetts.
My father was very impressed by everything in Wales but especially the kindness of the Welsh people. He was befriended by several people who lived in Denbigh and was welcomed into their families and homes.
Joe fondly remembers lovely days getting to know his new friends, Gladys Parr, Terry Moran and Alma Clark. He recalls that one of these girls lived at 163 Coast Road, Rhyl, North Wales. Our family loves to hear my father reminisce about his time in Wales. Some of his favorite memories are of the fun times he had in the pubs playing darts with the girls' fathers. Terry Moran's brother was away in the Royal Air Force, and on weekends, Joe and his pal, Eddie Mulane, would stay in Terry's brother's room. The hospitality of their new friends was much appreciated.
A few days before June 6, 1944, Joe had to prepare for the invasion of Normandy. He left Wales and his new friends, hoping to return one day. Gladys Parr continued to write letters to Joe and to his mother, Margaret, for some time.
In August 2006, my father returned to Wales, 62 years after his first visit, to show his wife and children the land he fell in love with. Joseph Halpin was 82. He married my mother, Laraine, in 1967. Me and my brother, John Halpin were part of this wonderful journey and what we take back to our homes will be very special memories to share with our parents' four grandsons, Joseph and John Curran, and Michael and Daniel Halpin.
We are trying to contact Gladys Parr, Terry Moran and Alma Clark or their families. If you know these ladies or have any information that may help us contact them, please email jwcurran@msn.com. 
