Thousands flew as message carriers while conflict waged - and now a group of racing pigeons will take to the skies in a celebration of the war time era.
The six locally raised pigeons will be released at the Holt War Memorial on Wednesday ahead of North Norfolk Railway's Salute The 1940s weekend.
The birds will then take part in a charity race from Sandringham to Holt on Saturday for military veterans' charity Walking With The Wounded.
Up to 100 small teddy bears will also be driven to the war memorial in a 1942 Land Rover before being delivered to shops throughout the town.
Visitors to the 1940s weekend will be invited to call at each shop and receive a stamp in their special ration books in a competition to name each bear.
The six sponsored racing birds are: Brenda – The Photographer's Gallery, Percy – Capri Pizza and Pasta, Penelope - P&S Butchers, Maud – Richard Scott Antiques, Water – Osokozi Gallery, CTB – Bakers&Larners.
WWTW director of fundraising Andrew Cook said: 'We are incredibly grateful to people like this who help us to develop our programmes to support those vulnerable veterans who have been physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged by their service and to assist them in gaining independence through new long term careers outside of the military. This includes providing support to homeless veterans and veterans in the Criminal Justice System, areas which are too often ignored.'
The birds will be released from the war memorial on Holt High Street at 10.45am.
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