I’ve done some research (Newport Reference Library archives) and it looks like the American troops have had some ‘bad press’ in this regard. This would appear to stem from an article in the Argus in January 1948, remembering the ‘blessing’ of the Mission House in 1908, and implying that the fire damage was while American Troops were billeted there. Indeed, apart from a mention in the 1948 article below, I can find no reference to American Troops being billitted here. Urban myth?
SOUTH WALES ARGUS
Forty Years Ago
The 'Church Times' in retrospect, recalls that forty years ago the Bishop of Llandaff (Dr. Joshta P. Hughes) blessed the Mission House of the Clewer Sisters at Newport.
This fine building in Oakheid Road was extensively damaged by fire during the War, when it was requisitioned as a billet fot American troops. The building is now being converted into flats.
However, having found the original Argus article from 5 February 1943 suggests otherwise. It makes no mention of American troops.
SOUTH WALES ARGUS
Mission Hall Ablaze
ROOF COLLAPSES AT NEWPORT
The whole of the roof was destroyed and most of the building when fire broke out at John the Baptist Mission Hall, Oakfield Road, Newport.
The building was L-shaped, and stood in its own grounds. It was built in the 1900s by the Sisters of the Community of St. John the Baptist Clewer, it is believed at a cost of £ 30.000 It had been used as an orphanage.
The fire started at the rear of the building and rapidly along the whole of the spread roof to that portion of the building facing Oakfield Road, and for several hours, N.F.S. men strove to prevent the flames taking hold of lower floors. They attacked the flames from three sides, and, at one time, lengths of hose were run from the top of Oakfield Road down to the Civic Centre.
The alarm was given by Mrs. Hilda Pidgiey the Matron, with whom were Mrs Chivers, Mrs. Lewis and Miss Joan Lewis. Later, a considerable portion of the roof was ablaze.
RESCUE SQUADS
Fortunately, the fire was discovered in time for the occupants, aided by police and neighbours, to form rescue squads and salvage a considerable quantity of bedding, equipment and furniture.
Willing hands helped to retrieve many articles, which were placed in the surrounding grounds before being removed to a safer place. Among the helpers who entered the building time and time again before the fire took too great a hold was the Rev. Father J H Drew, of St. John the Baptist Church, who threw chairs out from a broken window.
In charge of the Fire Fighting Forces was the Chief Regional Fire Officer (Mr. Varley, O.B.E.). with whom was the Deputy Fire Force Commander for the area (Mr. A V Thomas), and Divisional Officer G. H Scott. The Deputy Regional Commissioner (Alderman Percy Morris, Swansea) was also present. Newport Borough Police Force were in charge of the Chief Constable (Mr. C. M. Harris) and the Deputy Chief Constable (Superintendent Melborne Thomas).
John Hilton