Marine marvels

There is nothing more stirring than a top Royal Marines band playing A Life on the Ocean Wave, and the High Street echoing with marching troops. The children loved it – and so did I.

The parade was in honour of the 30 Assault Unit, a remarkable Second World War commando unit whose official base was at 6 St Augustine Road, with an unofficial HQ at The Marine pub in Selborne Road, handily just around the corner. An excellent pub – sadly now flats.

We should now consolidate our pride in the 30 AU by installing, for a few pennies, blue plaques on both properties, a reminder to residents and tourists of the unit’s proud history. I think our town council can afford the very modest cost.

And, while we are about it and to reflect the precision of our armed forces, we should straighten 30th AU’s own memorial stone which faces our war memorial – carelessly installed and wonkily out of square.

Thank you to the organisers and participants on Saturday.

Derek Wilkins, ex-RAFVR

St Winifred’s Road

Littlehampton