Inn Sign of The G.I. at Hastings in Sussex

Inn Sign of The G.I. at Hasting in Sussex 1949 [Author's Collection : Adapted from a miniature Whitbread metal sign produced as part of a series in 1949]

Inn Sign of The G.I. at Hasting in Sussex 1949

Unlike my photographs of inn signs, this illustration is adapted from a miniature Whitbread metal sign, produced as part of a series of 50 inn signs from the company's estate of public-houses. This was No.1 in the set produced in 1949. At the time patrons would collect the set. I bought an entire set on e-bay but they are also sold individually. The first two series were produced in metal but subsequent sets were printed on card. Some pubs display these within frames and they make quite an interesting and attractive feature on the wall. The artwork on such mass-produced runs is a bit dodgy in places. The original G.I. inn sign board was designed by Violet Rutter and made at the Wateringbury Brewery, a business mopped up by Whitbread in 1927. It was hung outside the pub located on Queen's Road at Hastings. The premises had only been known by this name for four years. Formerly trading as the Central Hotel, a sign that commemorated the local cricket ground, the pub was re-named The G.I. in recognition of the American service personnel that frequented the premises during World War 2. There was an informal luncheon party held at the pub on Tuesday November 27th, 1945, when a ceremony was performed outside the hotel during the re-hanging of the inn sign. At the luncheon which followed a number of speeches were made, and Alfred Bossom, M.P. for Maidstone, remarked that he thought the repercussions of the little meeting in an upstairs room might be worldwide. The Mayor of Hastings also had a few words to say, and Sir Sidney O. Nevile, of Whitbread's, added his tribute to the American guests who were present. In a special pamphlet issued to each guest at the ceremony the words inside stated: "It has long been our custom to name our inns after persons of distinction; the Georges and the Williams, the Lord Nelsons and the Beattys, the Wellingtons and Haigs - all commemorate great eras or events. Soon we shall be seeing the names of Eisenhower and Montgomery on the signs which swing outside our inns. These are famous names worthy of high compliment. But there are others who demand equal recognition, the names of the rank and file who bore the heat and burden of the day and, by their gallantry and fortitude, made possible the resounding fame which their great commanders earned in the conflict. We have therefore thought it fitting that this inn in which we meet today should for all time be known by the name which appears on its sign, and in honour of the man whom we now hold in great affection - The G.I. Joe." Captain Harry P. Bucker, United States Army, made a short speech in which he thanked his hosts for the honour they had done him and his friends. Each of the Americans present was presented with a small silver tankard. in honour of the occasion.¹ Unfortunately, the lines of the pamphlet "The inn .... should for all time be known by the name which appears on its sign" were binned and the premises has undergone several name changes in more recent times. Indeed, it was only 17 years later than the pub became the New Central. In the late 1970s it became the Town Crier before a 1990s rebranding to Pitcher's Sports Bar and Diner. In the 21st century the building traded as Moda.

References
1. "A Hastings Tavern Re-named" : Eastbourne Chronicle; December 1st, 1945, Page 4.

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