Smokes for the Royal Sussex Regiment

I cannot imagine this happening today but back in 1914, the Boy Scouts took great pride in collecting cigarettes and tobacco for the troops.

This ‘politically incorrect’ article comes from the Eastbourne Gazette dated 28th October 1914.


SMOKES FOR THE ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT AT THE FRONT

The 4th Eastbourne Scout Troop of Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster Read, have continued their collection of cigarettes and tobacco for our men at the Front with great success. In response to their appeal in the main streets of the town, upwards of 9,000 cigarettes and nearly 200 ounces of tobacco have been contributed by the public. This parcel (which will, no doubt be very welcome to our brave soldiers fighting in Northern France) is being sent direct to the Royal Sussex Regiment which has already done such magnificent service. The Eastbourne Scouts are very anxious to keep up the supply of the ever welcomed weed to the county regiment. Contributions of tobacco and cigarettes will be most thankfully received and forwarded through the Assistant County Commissioner from the headquarters, Town Hall, Eastbourne.

A Story of the Kaiser

This is a gem of a story from The Eastbourne Gazette on 19th August 1914.

Apparently the Great War can be put down to an Eastbourne toy maker giving in to the spoilt demands of a young Kaiser. If only he had made the Kaiser wait perhaps he would have leant his lesson and not have been so intent on global domination!

I love all the stories that came out at the beginning of the war.



A Story of the Kaiser

Speaking at a meeting of Sunday school scholars and workers on Sunday afternoon at South Street Church. Mr. George Brown related an incident which ought to interest all Eastbournians at the present time.

Some years ago a young Prince (a cousin of the Kaiser) was spending some time at the Cavendish Hotel. Some friends in Eastbourne had presented the Prince with a beautiful toy yacht which he highly treasured. While the young Prince was staying there his cousin the Kaiser came over to stay a few weeks in Eastbourne. When he saw his cousin’s yacht he became jealous and wanted to fight him for it. This came to the ears of those who had presented it to the Prince, they decided for the sake of peace, to give the Kaiser a similar yacht made by the same man and they had arranged to make the presentation on a certain Monday afternoon. The young Kaiser heard all about it and insisted on his tutor taking him on the previous Sunday afternoon to see the new yacht. On arriving at the maker’s house, the tutor explained that the Kaiser gave them no peace; he was too impatient to wait until Monday afternoon and he must have the yacht at once. They gave it to him so there was no public presentation.

Mr. Brown pointed out the moral; that what was in the boy was also in him when he became a man. As a boy the Kaiser was jealous and impatient and would fight for toys that did not belong to him. He was manifesting the same spirit today.

Rabbit Killer Granted an Exemption.

East Sussex Appeals Tribunal as reported 30th August 1916.

"Mr. A. Hilton, 31, rabbit and vermin killer, was granted an additional six months exemption. His application was supported by Mr. Ingram (representing the Board of Agriculture) and Mr. Waldman who appeared on behalf of the farmers. Hilton was well known in the Alfriston district and kills thousands of rabbits yearly."

Lighting Restrictions

Lighting Restriction came in place on all costal town's in April 1915, after the threat of Zeppelin raids.

This report from the Eastbourne Gazette on 2nd August 1916, is about a lady form Leicester who when visiting was Eastbourne showed a light from her hotel window.

"A Lady from Leicester

Mrs. Harriet Frishby, of the Grand Hotel was summoned in respect of an unsolicited light.

Mr Harold Glenister representing the defendant who did not appear and was stated not to be in good health.

Police Sergeant Geer was on King Edward Parade at 11.30pm on July 20 when he saw a lady pull up the blinds of a room at the Grand Hotel. He waited a few minutes. As the light was not put out he called at the hotel and saw the porter who took him to the room. Defendant said that she resided at Leicester and had been in the habit of pulling up her blinds.

Mr Glenister in reply to Councillor Fox said there was a warning notice in every room in the hotel, but the defendant had overlooked it.

Defendant was fined 15s, the light being visible from the sea."

Hawking on the Seafront

This report from the Eastbourne Gazette from 25th July 1917, concerns the unfortunate case of a lad who 'Hawked' neswpapers on the seafront.

I was glad to see that good sense prevailed and he was 'let off' with a caution.

"Children’s Court

Frederick Brown, 14, of Cavendish Place who stated that he was employed by Mr Abel, newsagent, was summoned for hawking newspapers on the parade on July 16.

Parade Inspector Dann deposed to being on the central parade when his attention was attracted by a boy shouting “London papers”. He went to the to the top of the parade and saw defendant, who admitted that he was aware that he was doing wrong and added, “I have done it before.”

The Chief Constable remarked that the boy took charge of the stand on the Front and that he knew all about the by-law.

Defendant said he only did it to oblige the gentleman.

With a magisterial caution the case was dismissed."

Lieutenant-Colonel Royston-Pigott D.S.O.

This report in the Eastbourne Gazette is on the death of Lieutentant Colonel G.A. Royston-Pigott.


"Lieutenant-Colonel Royston-Pigott D.S.O.

Lieutenant-Colonel George Arthur Royston-Pigott, D.S.O. Worcestershire Regiment who was killed on July 3, was the eldest son of the late Dr. G.W. Royston-Piggott, F.R.S. and of Mrs. Royston-Piggott of Annandale, Eastbourne and was 41 years of age.

Appointed to the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment in 1895, he served with it through the South African War being awarded both medals and five clasps. He was in command of his battalion at the battle of Loos, when he was mentioned in dispatches and obtained the D.S.O. Subsequently he was appointed to the command of a battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment.

In 1915 he married Hilda, daughter of the late J.W. Parriss of Ardaga, Willesden Lane."

Lieutentant Colonel G.A. Royston-Pigott, D.S.O. is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetry, France.

Corporal E.A. Dewey, 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.

This article in the Eastbourne Gazette dated 9th August 1916 is about Corporal E.A. Dewey, 12th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment.

In a previous article, “How the Southdown’s Fought” Corporal Dewey is mentioned:

“Another Eastbourne man notable for his pluck is Corporal E.A. Dewey (formerly doorkeeper at the Hippodrome theatre). Although he was suffering from a painful malady, he rose from his bed of sickness and insisted upon accompanying his comrades to the enemy’s trenches. ‘I’ve been with the boys all along’ he said ‘and I intend to go over the parapet with them.’ He was allowed to go, and did his duty well but he was badly wounded in several places and lost his right eye.’
"Corporal Dewey, who is 45 years of age and has a son at the front, had never seen service prior to the war, but joined up shortly after the outbreak in order to ‘do his bit.’

In an update Corporal Dewey writes from hospital to Mr. Gardner the leader of the Eastbourne Glee Club. He informs him of his intention to carry on in the army and become a drill instructor. He also thanks Mr. Gardner’s work in sending cigarettes etc to the troops.


“Corporal Dewey in Hospital

Letter to “The Soldiers Friend.”

Corporal E.A. Dewey (who is A4 Ward, Third London General Hospital, Wandsworth) wrote on July 31 to Mr. J.F. Gardner:-

“You will no doubt be surprised to hear from me in London, but now I have recovered somewhat from my recent repairs. I have come across the two badges I collected for you and have sent them on. I read a little while ago that you were still carrying on the good work of sending the boys something to smoke , which I am sure is heartily appreciated. I am only waiting in hospital to be fitted with a new ‘monocle’.

Then I hope to go to a convalescent home for a week or two, previous to taking up my duties. I have been accepted for further service as instructor in drill and musketry and feel glad that my offer has been received so favourably. Civilian life whilst the war is on has no appeals for me. When visiting Eastbourne on furlough- unless I am fortunate enough to be sent to Summerdown to recuperate earlier- I will call and see you.”

Corporal Dewey, who is well known in Eastbourne, has been serving in the Royal Sussex Regiment. His letter was addressed to “Mr. Gardener, the Soldiers Friend, 72, Tideswell Road.””

International Stores - Releases Men

This article from the Eastbourne Gazette dated 9th August 1916, relates to the ‘International Stores’ releasing men for the Front as women take their place.

" 2,000 Heroes

We hear so much of the enormous difficulties that our Tommie’s overcome that we are apt to overlook the trials of those working at home, and who have every right to the glories and sympathies given to our brave men at the Front.

We refer particularly to the burden which our women folk have shouldered with such patriotism.

The International Stores tell us the women now employed by them have enabled them to release nearly 2,000 men for military service. An experienced grocer would have have told you in June 1914, that a few years must elapse before a youth entering a grocer’s shop as an apprentice van consider himself qualified to “take charge”. Bearing this is mind it is really remarkable that the lady grocer’s should step in and fill the position vacated by the heroes at the Front in such a capable manner.

Their untiring energy, adaptability and strong will, whilst working under the most tiring conditions, calls for the very heartiest support and consideration from the shopping public."


For those of you that haven’t heard of the 'International Store':-

The International Stores started out, in 1875, with a single store in Bristol, trading as J H Mills. By 1900, when J H Mills become a limited company, there were 12 stores and the name 'International Stores' was in use.

In 1950, J H Mills changed its name to Gateway. From then the name 'Gateway' was mainly used for all of the company's new (supermarket-style) stores but 'International Stores' was retained for the traditional-style stores.

Gateway was taken over by Linfood Holdings in 1977 but International Stores were not, initially part of the deal (although many branches of International Stores closed at this time, or were re-branded as Gateway as a subsidiary part of the deal). Linfood Holdings changed its name to the Dee Corporation in 1983 and then proceeded to acquire International Stores (along with other well-known names, such as Fine Fare and Keymarkets). All of the stores were then either closed or re-branded as Gateway. (The Dee Corporation changed its name back to Gateway Corporation plc, to match the store names, in 1988).

Between 1989 and 1991, over 100 stores were sold off to Asda and Kwik Save.

The firm opened the first Somerfield store in 1990. In 1994, Gateway Foodmarkets became Somerfield Stores. Thus, if there's still a supermarket trading on a former International Stores site, there's a very good chance that it will bear the Somerfield brand name (although it could be Asda or Kwik Save) and, incidentally, be part of a multi-national group that includes the Carrefour chain in France.

From - Food Deserts.

Eastbourne Glee Club

This article from the Eastbourne Gazette dated 9th August 1916, is about the Eastbourne Glee Club raising funds for the war effort.

Perhaps this side of the 21st Century it is with amazement that money should be sent on sending soldiers cigarettes and tobacco. How times have changed!


“Eastbourne Glee Club

Parcels for Soldiers and Sailors

In the spring of 1915 Mr. J.F. Gardener (hon. Secretary of the Eastbourne Glee Choir) set on foot a movement for the supplying comforts for (1) the men of the Army and Navy on active service and (2) prisoners of war in Germany and elsewhere. Through this agency many thousands of cigarettes have been sent, besides tobacco and pipes. Last Christmas parcels of food to the value of £20 were purchased with the proceeds of a concert and were despatched at the men at the front.

The total value of the goods sent out exceeds £100. Among the contributors to the fund we may mention Colonel W.A. Cardwell V.D., Mr. Sydney Hudson, Mr. E. A. Sutton, the Rev E.W. Wright, Councillor F. Hollins, the Rev E.L. Browne, and others. Mr James S. Garrard has contributed 10s 6d a month for cigarettes for local footballers at the Front, and the Rev. E.L. Browne and Councillor Hollins have presented several footballs which have been greatly appreciated by the Eastbourne Engineers at the France. In fact the Engineers have “asked for more”.

Mr. Gardner has received upwards of 500 letters expressive of gratitude from sailors and soldiers. To the prisoners of war the parcels of food have been of inestimable benefit. The patients in the 12th General Hospital at Rouen have received no fewer than 8,000 cigarettes and a long written list of recipients has been received.”