and store for Aston's furniture company. The grounds were opened to the public. In 1939 the War Office requisitioned Acton Park and Nissen huts were erected in the grounds for the soldiers while the officers were billeted in the house. The Lancashire Fusiliers, the Royal Welch Fusiliers, the South Wales Borderers and the Gurkhas were just a few of the regiments who stayed at Acton during the Second World War. In 1943 the American 33rd Signals Construction Battalion and 400th Armoured Field Artillery Battalion were billeted at Acton Park. Wrexham was host to men from Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana. Eagles Meadow became their vehicle store, the Butter Market their canteen, Acton School Hall the venue for their dances and chewing gum was sold at the US Army store in Garden Village. The US Army was still segregated and the black soldiers were billeted at 'The Studio' by the junction of Chester Road and Grove Road. The house just survived occupation by the US Army, but in a very poor state. The north wing was demolished just after the war. People plundered the park for firewood in the tough years of rationing in 1945-47. In 1947 the Council was presented with the hall and parklands by, the then owner, Alderman William Aston. By then the grounds had become very overgrown and a programme of restoration was implemented. However, by 1954 the house was still in a dilapidated condition. Alderman Hampson campaigned for the house to be saved as the city's museum. He failed and the demolition team set to work in August 1954. Nothing remains of the house today, only the gateway with its Four Dogs, the lodges and parts of the original stone boundary wall are left. The grounds of Acton Hall were opened to the public as a pleasure garden shortly after the land was bought in the 1920s. The park now features a bowling green, tennis courts, children's play areas, a Japanese garden and a lake with abundant wildlife. There is also a Gorsedd, a circle of standing stones, to mark the site of the dedication ceremony for the 1977 National Eisteddfod, which was held on nearby Borras Airfield. Welsh Cup Final In 1878 the Racecourse was unavailable as a venue for the first Welsh Cup Final, so Sir Robert Cunliffe provided land measuring x within Acton Park as a playing field for the final. Housing