Some years ago, browsing through Robin Page books in Duke Street, I happened upon a pamphlet-style book published in the paper-rationed days of 1946 called "Brighton & Hove Under Fire", a selection of photos taken for the Brighton Gazette but which the censor would not allow during wartime. Here is the Tribute by a chap called Derrick Laurence from Middlesbrough: "On the first Sunday in October, 1939, I arrived in Brighton. On the first Sunday in April, 1944, I left. The only Brighton I have known is the Brighton of sandbags and sirens, tin hats and water tanks ... a town that echoed and re-echoed the sounds of loudspeakers, guns and bombs. The Brighton of fairy lights and wonderland I never knew. Therefore you may say I have never seen you at your best. I beg to differ. The Brighton that was so firm during the days of Dunkirk, withstood so bravely the Battle of Britain and carried on so steadily during the Nazi terror bombing, could never be surpassed in glory by the unreal glitter of Fairylight Brighton. They put out the fairy lights with the black-out, but in your streets to-day shine new lights - the lights of courage and comradeship. They flare so brilliantly during your hours of misery and suffering. The Germans have battered and bombed you but they have never broken or beaten you. For allowing me the great privilege of sharing some of your many ordeals, from the bottom of my heart I thank you. Although I pray that when I return the lights of peace will be shining, at the moment I cannot help feeling a pang of regret at having seen the Brighton of the blitz for the last time. For they may build a bigger and better Brighton, but they can never make you greater or finer than I saw you during the years of war."
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 11:26:22 +0000
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