Now this really was a big bang

Those who finished up with ceilings, windows or possibly doors in bed with them may well have thought a later timing could have been more convenient.

To which the other thinkers will respond that if people were about in the streets then there would have been a great number of casualties from flying glass, not a stupid deduction when considering shop windows in Lewes, seven miles away, became victims of this most unusual occurrence.

Let's face it, 180 tons of high explosives going off in one go rather puts the November 5 celebrations into the class of a damp squib!

Incredible that just one immediate death occurred; that was an unfortunate naval rating who was on the receiving end of a lump of masonry from a harbour building.

Flying glass could still be a hazard even if you had been comfortably tucked up in bed '“ and how many hearts must have missed a beat or two!

Injuries were numerous and no doubt shock could have hastened all sorts of complications, but though teams of quick-fix workers were sent to do their best, here was another problem.

In 1944 a town like ours did not have many refrigerators, as is the norm these days, and most pantries had a glass window, or food about in the kitchen.

There was a war on and food had been rationed for many years.

Those not familiar with this occurrence might be eager to hear the beginning of the drama and some might say, oh, that's the ammunition barge which blew up on the west shingle beach.

Some 20 years or so ago a Royal Navy sailor contacted me from somewhere on the east coast.

He had tried the town clerk of the time, who passed him on, and the now sadly late Roger Rothwell had been a prisoner of war in the Far East at the time of our big bang.

It transpired this sailor had often wondered what happened to Newhaven on that dramatic morning in 1944, so made contact.

He said he was a crew member of the Royal Navy tug St Melons of 180 tons, and on the day in question they had set off early (presumed from Portsmouth) to go to Le Havre just across the channel, with two barges being towed in tandem, one containing the 180 tons of explosives; we assume so did the other.

The deadly cargo was to be used to blow up the damage caused by the Germans as they retreated, use of a port being of great need to our forces as the wonder floating mulberries were of little use by now.

The sea became increasingly rough and it was decided to turn east and head for shelter beyond Beachy Head as the crew was concerned about the cargo.

One barge broke adrift and headed for our west beach. The tug was still hooked up to the other barge, with possibly a similar cargo, and to rescue the breakaway was too risky. The tug and the second barge were off Seaford Head when the truant hit the beach and blew up.

Somehow our tug Foremost 22 had put to sea (bit of salvage) and was seen by the St Melons, which radioed to get back quickly.

At the museum we have an account of the disaster at Newhaven, a photo of the crater on the beach and a small bit of metal from the barge which went through a roof in Gibbons Road.