Hampshire at War. Patricia Ross

the violin for a sing-song on the beach some evenings, then they would all swim naked in the warm sea, prior to visiting the Shades (suitably dressed) for a drink - but choice of drinks was limited.

      Marine John J. Cook of Tintinhull, Yeovil recalls that he and his mates visited the Shades public house in their spare time, if they had any pay left. If not, they played football or just sat reading or cleaning their kit. The Shades, he says, did not always have anything to drink. Beer was “zoned” during the war and customers could not always buy their preferred brand even when beer was available. If there was beer, they would buy a pint to last all evening. For security reasons they mostly stayed in their own area, but occasionally went by ferry to Southsea or Portsmouth or used the grassy area between the Royal Hotel and the beach as a football or cricket ground. John Cook recalls that it was neither of Wembley nor Lords standard. However, they were active young men, cooped up on Hayling Island awaiting their orders for action; sport helped to keep them fit and to some extent prevented boredom.

      Other Marines recall regular church parades at St Peter’s Church, visits to the Shades, to the Regal cinema and to another cinema which they describe as “ramshackle”. The building has survived to become St Mary’s Street postal sorting office, but viewed from the west one can see at the front of the building the roof-top shape of the little room used by the cinema projectionist. Many of my ex-service correspondents recall with affection visits to the Meadowsweet canteen at Northney which was run voluntarily by local ladies at the home of the Misses Rouse, Northney.

      R. G. Hylands of Eastbourne says the sailors would sit round a dining table while a meal was prepared. A Mrs Hedges used to do the cooking.