At the time of the 70 year anniversary of D-Day, I thought that readers might like to know of the archaeological remains in the soil around Chelsham and the memories I associate with them.

Back in 1944 I recall when as a boy of eight, all the Canadian troops that had been stationed in the woods and fields, arriving on Chelsham Common, outside the Hare and Hounds pub (now Amano’s café).

We didn’t know the reason but as they lay around the common drinking (the Hare and Hounds did a good trade that day!) awaiting their many lorries to pick them up, they must have dropped loose change etc. in the grass. For many it was their last taste of life as they would have perished in Normandy.

When Sainsbury’s was being built they agreed to plant trees around the common and looking in the disturbed soil I found lots of old sixpences, threepenny bits, one dollars, shillings etc. - it brought back memories of those Canadian soldiers enjoing their last ‘taste’ of life on their Earth.

Ron Williams, Warlingham.