D-Day in Bexhill, June 1944

Pride of place went to a preview of the launch that day of Bexhill's "Salute the Soldier" week rather than to Tuesday's news from Normandy. And for good reason.

The troops in Normandy needed guns and ammunition. Salute the Soldier Week had as its target the raising of 175,000 - enough to buy fifty 25-pounder gun-howitzers at 2,250 each; 30,000 shells for them at a cost of 60,000 and 600,000 rounds of .303 rifle ammunition.

The hammer-and-sickle of Britain's Soviet Union allies and the American stars-and-stripes were displayed alongside the Union Flag in a building society-sponsored page one advertisement proclaiming: "Put out the flags today of the united nations for Bexhill's Salute The Soldier Week - The boys are there, let's show them what WE can do."

The Observer said: "The men who stormed the beaches of Northern France on Tuesday morning are the soldiers whom the town now has the opportunity of saluting in a way which they themselves will most appreciate - by ensuring a never-failing supply of the munitions of war to enable them to carry on their task to a victorious conclusion.

"Admiration is not enough. They must be supported by salvoes of savings to buy guns and more guns, shells and more shells...."

The Observer reported: "The news that D-Day had arrived spread quickly in Bexhill on Tuesday morning.

"Townspeople who had left for their places of work, and had consequently missed broadcast announcements at 9.15a.m., heard it passed on by word-of-mouth. There was no excitement. There was no demonstrations. Everything went on very much as usual.

"During the course of the day numbers of people visited the churches, which were left open for private prayer."

At St Stephen's, the Vicar, the Rev. G. Haydn-Evans, held special services in the afternoon and evening at which "special intercessions" were made. Both were well attended.

In local hotels, the King's broadcast speech to the nation was listened to with "rapt attention."

"Troops seemed to outnumber members in the unusually large group which gathered round the wireless set at the British Legion Club to hear the King and the latest invasion news, and all stood rigidly to attention for the playing of the National Anthem."

The Wednesday morning united service of intercession at St Andrew's Church - which had taken place for the previous four years - "took on a special character."

The Observer carried a special page one announcement detailing how families could send post to members of the Armed Services taking part in the invasion of the Continent.

In the first five days of Salute The Soldier Week, the people of Bexhill had given 158,071. Putting that in context, the town was far smaller then and many people were away for war reasons. The 3d (1.25p) Observer contained job vacancies for bakers at 5 5s. (5.25) a week and kitchen maids at 2, men's shoes were 7s. 6d. (37.5p) and tea 9d. a quarter.