A new campaign has been launched to locate clickers that were used during the Second World War.
ACME Whistles, supported by The Royal British Legion are searching for originals of the infantry tool to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The handheld metal device makes a clicking sound by pressing downwards on the metal plate directly with a thumb or a finger.
Paratroopers were dropped into darkness behind enemy lines on the night before D-Day, if they were not alone when they landed, or later detected someone close by, they were to click once. Two clicks in reply meant friend, no response meant something else.
It was assumed that Clickers would be captured and even replicated, so they were to be used for 24 hours only and after that banned completely.
Many replica and counterfeit Clickers have been found, but very few genuine originals have ever been seen. 7,000 Clickers were made during the six-month period immediately before D-Day in 1945. Some were nickel plated but some were just left in plain brass, to ensure that there was time for every Clicker to be individually tested in time for D-Day.
The genuine originals have tell-tale features that only ACME, as the manufacturers will instantly recognise.
Simon Topman, Managing Director at ACME Whistles said: “We have people contact us regularly with ACME Thunderers, Metropolitan Police Whistles, Artillery Whistles and Infantry Whistles that were used in World War II, but never a Clicker. To mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings we would love to find as many of the original Clickers as possible.
“Perhaps your great Grandad was a D-Day veteran, maybe he has a box of war medals where it could lie unknown? Maybe an elderly neighbour is a widow of a D-Day veteran who doesn’t realise the significance of the unassuming Clicker? We ask that people start seeking them out, to see if they can unearth a lost piece of sound history.”
Catherine Davies, Head of Remembrance at The Royal British Legion said; “D-Day marked a turning point in the Second World War and changed the course of history. We honour the bravery and sacrifice of our D-Day veterans and we celebrate the hard won peace, democracy, and diversity they fought for.
“As we commemorate 75 years since the Normandy landings it’s great to see organisations such as ACME find ways to thank this special generation, and we look forward to seeing what the search for the lost Clickers unveils.”
If you believe you’re in possession of an original ACME Clicker please contact: Ben.McFarlane@ACMEwhistles.co.uk, or call 0121 554 2124.
For further information on ACME Whistles please contact: www.acmewhistles.co.uk