Real-life James Bonds visit Littlehampton Museum

Reg Rush, a member of the Littlehampton-based 30 Assault Unit's B-troop, and Bill Thomas, who was in X-troop, were special guests at the launch of a new exhibition, "On His Majesty's Service".

Reg, who travelled from East Anglia for the occasion, and Bill, who lives just round the corner from the museum, were among more than 50 people at a special preview for the display.

It celebrates Littlehampton's link with the 30 AU, with Ian Fleming, the unit's naval commander, and with his creation, 007.

Reg described the unit's travels across Europe, often working in total secrecy behind enemy lines, and he said a prayer for comrades who did not make it back home to their base in Littlehampton, or who have died since then.

Bill, too, had stories to tell of daring deeds in wartime Europe and hinted that, for some of the Marines, at least, the more romantic side of the fictional Bond may not have been totally absent from life with the 30 AU even with the continent in the grip of hostilities.

Town councillor Dr James Walsh, a retired Royal Navy Reserve officer,

stressed the significance of the work of the 30 AU, mostly facing the enemy beyond allied lines to rescue vital military secrets and carry out other highly risky assignments.

Dr Walsh highlighted the 30 AU's strong connection with the James Bond character, and suggested that one of its officers, Patrick Dalzel-Job, was the prime candidate for inspiring 007.

The exhibition includes fascinating artefacts such as silk maps of France used by the Marines to pinpoint targets, letters from a 30 AU officer to his mother, a button concealing a compass and a captured Nazi flag, seized by the unit when Paris was liberated.

It continues at the museum until September 4.

-----------------------------

Click here to return to Gazette news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Gazette's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Gazette: [email protected]