As I continue to research life in Hastings during World War 2 I’m discovering such a fascinating mixture of happy and sad.

It was clear that the link between Canada and Great Britain was strong – Canada being the ‘oldest dominion in the British Empire’. Right from the beginning of the war Canada helped by sending supplies, weapons and food. Many pilots came over to Britain on their own initiative, providing critical support during the Battle of Britain.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadian soldiers did their training in the army barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire and then went on to be an important part of the defence of southern England when the heavy German bombing started during 1940.

But the photo above shows just how vital the three Rs are, even in the midst…