Just over 70 years ago, the streets and side roads of Southampton and beyond were “invaded” by foreign troops as ship-loads of American GIs and their equipment disembarked at the docks in the build up to following year’s invasion of Europe.

In their annual Remembrance Day Concert in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Michelmersh Silver Band will feature local memories of the “Yanks”, along with some of the music that raised morale for troops and civilians alike at village hall hops all over the country, including Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman and their exciting new swing dance music.

With their flashy uniforms and ready supply of foods and goods not seen for years in ration-bound Britain, the US troops caused a stir, not least amongst the female population, and soon earned the label “overpaid, over-sexed and over here”.

Just like our own troops in Helmand Province, thousands of miles away from home and their loved ones in an alien culture, these young men sought solace in anything that reminded them of home, especially the dance band music that they brought with them.

With the standards of the British Legion in attendance, the Act of Remembrance will be observed and the Last Post sounded in the more reflective second half of the concert with the band being joined by local singer, Sapphire Patterson-Zeitouni, who will sing the Military Wives Choir hit, Wherever You Are, in tribute to British troops currently serving in Afghanistan. Also included will be musical tributes to the Merchant and Royal Navy seaman of the North Atlantic convoys and the Royal Air Force “Dambuster” crews.

Tickets for the “Remembrance” concert at the United Reformed Church on Monday (November 11) are available from Romsey Tourist Information Centre, on 01794 512987.