Enormous Expenditure on Drink

This report was in the Eastbourne Gazette on 23rd September 1916. During the war there were a large number of people in favour of prohibition, this ‘public meeting’ on the Seafront calls for action to be taken.

300 Millions

Enormous Expenditure on Drink

"In presiding over an outdoor meeting held near the Royal Parade bandstand on Saturday evening Dr. Horatio Matthews spoke as a medical man in favour of total abstinence as conductive to the health of the nation. Mr. Alexander Thomson (United Kingdom Alliance) stated that in the first twenty-one months of the war about 2,200,000 tons of barley, maize and rice, and 3,000,000 tons of sugar were wasted in the manufacture of drink. During the same period the nation had spent on intoxication £300,000,000, a sum which represents £500,000 a day. The only remedy was the prohibition of the liquor traffic during the remainder of the war and for six months after the declaration of peace. A memorial in favour of such a measure had been signed by two millions of people. The Rev. A. Butcher also spoke.

On Sunday evening, Mr. Thomson addressed a large gathering near the Grand Parade bandstand. Mr. Walker presided, and the choir of the Baptist Forward Mission attended to leading the singing."

Dangerous Motoring on the Seafront.

I love this article from the Eastbourne Chronicle dated Saturday July 22nd 1916. The Dangerous driver was driving his two-seater car at the speed of 35 miles per hour along Eastbourne Seafront.

The Chief Inspector tried to stop him by putting up his hand but it took him over 100 yards to stop the car and then he sped off. How times have changed!!!

"Dangerous Motoring on the Front.

Lieutenant Gordon M. Mew, said to be a wounded officer staying at a convalescent home in Brighton, was summoned for driving a motor car at a dangerous speed on the Grand Parade on the 11th. Defendant did not appear, and no communication had been received from him.

Parade Inspector Dann said at about 1.45 on the day in question a small two-seater car passed him at the Grand Hotel. In it were the defendant and a lady. The car was going at a pace which he estimated at from 35 to 40 miles an hour. The Chief Inspector who was with the witness, put up his hand, but at such a pace was the car going that it covered another hundred yards before it stopped. Without waiting for witness to come up, defendant drove off again and finally stopped at the Landsdowne Hotel. Witness proceeded thither and saw the defendant, of who he asked,

“What was your object in driving so fast?”

Defendant replied, “None really.”

Witness pointed out that the speed was 35 miles an hour, and witness told him it was too fast and he would be reported. In reply, to a question witness told him that if summoned he would either appear or send a letter.

Evidence of the service of the summons having been given, a penalty of £2 was imposed."

To Join the Fire Brigade

This Military Tribunal is reported in the Eastbourne Gazette on 2nd August 1916. The Applicant is saved from going to the front, so long as he joins the local Fire Brigade:-

"To Join the Fire Brigade

In the case of Mr. Henry J. Collins, 40. Married grocery and sweet shop keeper. Mr. Hillman (the applicants solicitor) advanced the one-man business plea. Mr. Collins said he had a nervous wife and she could not possibly carry on the trade. He was willing to devote spare time to utility work.

The Chairman, “Could you do a special constable’s job?”

Applicant, “I don’t think so.” (Laughter)

Councillor Bolton ,“The Council want firemen, could you do that?”

Applicant, “Yes.”

Twelve weeks were granted, conditional on applicant joining the fire brigade."

The Boar's Head - Part V.

The Eastbourne Gazette on the 2nd August also carried this story from Private Hart:-

Southdowns Capture Prisoners

Private T Hart, Royal Sussex Regiment, writing to his mother, Mrs Turner, 1 Salehurst Road, Old Town, Eastbourne describes the operation on June 30 as being “like hell”.

He says, “The bombardment was enough to drive us off our heads, but we took three lines of trenches and faced the shells as coolly as anything. I had the bottom of my rifle blown off, but I didn’t get a scratch myself. We were up to necks in mud. We gave them (the Germans) a few pills to go on with. We took several prisoners and all they could say was ‘Mercy, kamarade.’ Our colonel said we stuck it grandly. I think we have got them done for this time. I saw I lot of my chums fall by my side, but I was one of the lucky ones. It is your prayers that have saved my life mum,” concluded the writer, “and I thank God for it.”

The Boar's Head - Part IV.

The Eastbourne Gazette on 2nd August 1916, had this report of the action at 'Boar's Head'.

Southdowns in Action

Letter from Sergeant Rowsell

Writing from the V.A.D. Hospital, Fernlagul, Larkfield, near Maidstone on July 29th. Lance-Sergeant T.S. Roswell says:-

“As an old Eastbourian I have been a reader of your valuable paper for some years and I received it weekly in the trenches before I was wounded. I belong to one of the Southdowns Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment and am able to tell you that our long training in England enabled the men to become not only good fighters but good workers as well. If any trenches needed making or repairing by our division one of the ‘Southdowns’ Battalions was sure to get the job. With regard to the fighting, all were eager to go over the parapet to meet ‘Frtiz’ when the time came and the ‘Squareheads’ the other side of No Mans land soon learnt what they were up against. You were quite correct in your surmise that some day Sussex people will hear the official truths of what did actually occur and when that is known it will be seen that the Southdowns did their bit in the true British way. Before closing I would just mention that the editor of an influential London weekly once said, “The Southdowns will never fire shot in the Great War.”

Coulson Kernahan's Appeal

Before conscription was introduced in 1916 recruiting rallies were held almost daily in an effort to get every available man to the Front. This report in the Eastbourne Gazette on 16th June 1915, concerns the well known author Coulson Kernahan and his efforts to get men to look within themselves and consider what it will be like when the war finally ends.

Patriot and Author

Mr. Coulson Kernahans Appeal

In his speech at the Wish Tower grounds on Saturday, Mr. Coulson Kernahan (the well known author) said:-

“May I just tell of a saying of Robert Louis Stevenson, whose books are known to some of you? Stevenson said this :-

“Much may be forgiven to us mortals – mistakes, sins, crimes even: but God Himself cannot forgive the ‘hanger-back’”.

“Is there a hanger-back here today? Is there one man here who is fit and able to go but is hanging back? If so, I am sorry for him. I sit in judgement on no man. In all my recruiting work I have never called any man a ‘shirker’. I have no right to call you a shirker. You may be fit and strong. I don’t know you circumstances. I repeat: I sit in judgement on no man. Your own conscience will be worse than anything I can say. To feel that other people sneer at you is a small matter: but for a man to feel that he has lost his own self-respect and is a coward in his own eyes is terrible. Picture the coming time when as Mr. Gwynne says we shall be happier than we are today. The war is over, Eastbourne is en fete. Every man, woman and child is out. The bells are ringing, the flags are flying and the gallant boys of the Sussex Regiment are marching down the street having returned unhurt or bearing honourable wounds. We shall be mad with joy – men, women and children. Picture to yourself what your position will be if you might have gone but did not. You won’t be with the cheering crowd. You will be slinking home by the back way. You will feel you might have gone, but let others go. You will see George that went and Harry who went. They heard the call and obeyed it. You will slink home to the kitchen amongst the cats, the children, and the old women, because you have been a shirker. You will know that you have betrayed your country. Don’t let that become true of you. Say today, 'I will do my duty. I have been a long time over it. It is not too late. It shall be my privilege to serve my country.'”

(Coulson Kernahan (1858-1943) was born at Ilfracombe, Devonshire, and educated privately by his father and at St Albans School. He was associated with Locker-Lampson on a new edition of Lyra Elegantiarum, contributed to many periodicals, wrote humorous verse, and gained wide popularity for his fiction, some of which has been translated into French, German, Dutch, Hungarian, and Chinese).

Helping the War or Himself?

This Military Tribunal is reported in the Eastbourne Gazette on 2nd August 1916. The Military Represenative Mr. Beattie seems to be on good form.

Helping the War or Himself?

V.W.Marley, 31, married taxi cab proprietor was represented by Mr. Hillman who explained the great financial hardship which could result in the applicants enlistment.

Mr. Beattie “You are doing nothing at present to help the war?”

Mr. Hillman “He is keeping a wife and three children.”

Mr. Beattie “Is that helping the war or helping himself?”

Six weeks (final).

The Boar's Head - Part III - Another Report.

This is another report in the Eastbourne Gazette on 19th July 1916. No name is given by the wounded officer, but his letter confirms the other reports without overemphasising the carnage of the attack.

The Wounded Officers Letter – “The Men Were Magnificent”

No warmer tribute to the splendid work of “Lowther’s Lambs” in the recent operation on the Western Front could be given than contained in a private letter by a wounded officer, who says:-

“The men were magnificent; there is no doubt about that. If the men in the rest of Kitchener’s Army are anything like the ‘Southdowns’ nothing will stop us now that we have made the right start.

Our divisional General said only a few days before the beginning of this great push, “You men (meaning the Southdowns) do not require leading, we know their reputation.” And he was right. When their officers and men fell on the survivors went, right through the hell of fire. ‘My Company (‘A’ Company of the 13th Royal Sussex) went 150 to 200 yards in the face of it with never a falter. It was a superb test.

The men were absolutely wonderful. Their training had fitted them for what they had to go through, and the pity of it is that so many had to fall to accomplish what they did.
We had not counted on the enemy being so prepared for our reception with heavy guns and machine guns. You can imagine what we had to go through.

“Corporal Parsons, an Eastbourne man who is missing, showed indomitable pluck , and all through the ‘Southdowns’ a similar spirit was apparent. No regular soldiers could have been finer.

Sergeant Baker, an old regular army man, is attached to the “Southdowns”. When his officer was knocked over he led the men on to the second line of German trenches. I heard him shouting, “Come on boys, here are the Huns!” This was followed by cries of ‘Kamarade’ from the German soldiers. But the blood of the ‘Southdowns’ was up, for the enemy had been bombing them only a few minutes before. Sergeant Baker showed a splendid example both to the N.C.O’s and men.”

“I had a narrow escape in this attack. I was wearing a Dayfield body shield and a bullet struck me just below the shoulder blade and about an inch below the top of the shield. It did not penetrate the shield but turned upwards and gouged its way out through the fleshy part of the shoulder."

"An amusing incident of the attack was recalled a few days ago when I visited a wounded sergeant of my company who is now in hospital. I had taken a little German prisoner who insisted upon following closely upon my heels. The sergeant recalling the fact said, ‘I could not help laughing when I saw that little German chap following you about the trenches like a lap-dog.’
I got rather tired of him following me about. There were a lot of rifles lying about and I did not know when this fact might occur to him. Finally, I showed him my revolver and pointed to our trenches in the distance, and he very soon took his departure there.
The Germans were more than willing to surrender when we got close to them, but they were throwing things at us when we did get close?”

Corporal Percy Parsons metioned above, of the ‘A’ Company, 13th Battalion had dodged a sick parade to ensure his part in the attack, died on the German wire. He was 37 and was married to Susanna Parsons, of 20, Lower Rd., Gore Park, Eastbourne. He is buried in CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ.

The Battle of Boar's Head - Part II - further reports.

Reports continued to filter into the newspaper about the fighting on 30th June 1916. The Eastbourne Gazette on 26th July 1916 contained these reports.

The first is from a letter by Lieutenant Robinson where he writes about the heroism of CSM Nelson Carter who would later be postumously awarded the V.C. for his actions during the battle.


"How the Southdowns Fought

Eastbourne Hero

Loses his life while rescuing comrades

In a private letter to a friend an Eastbourne officer, Lieutenant Harold C.T. Robinson, who is at home wounded, tells of the gallantry of a local soldier who lost his life in the great advance on the morning of June 30, while rescuing comrades who had fallen wounded over the parapet.

Lieutenant Robinson, who is the younger son of Mr. C. Wyndham Robinson, of Kya Lami, The Greys, Eastbourne, was the officer commanding A Company, 12th Royal Sussex Regiment and the soldier of whose heroism he speaks was Company-Sergeant Major N.V. Carter (formerly an attendant at Old Town, Cinema) whose widow resides at 33 Greys road. “He was a splendid type of soldier”. Writes Lieutenant Robinson “and had already been recommended for the Military Cross for gallantry before the incident of June 30. "
“Several men were lying wounded over the parapet and C.S.M. Carter went over many times under heavy fire to help carry them to safety. He succeeded in rescuing a number of them but was finally killed while engaged in the heroic work.”

“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.’

“Speaking of the Southdown’s generally and my own Company in particular, I have nothing but the highest praise for them. As soon as they heard that they were going to attack and knew at last they were to have the chance to do something, they were exceedingly keen and enthusiastic. We rehearsed the attack and the night spent in completing the arrangements.”

“At 2.50 am an intense bombardment by our artillery began and at 3.5 am – all our watches synchronised- the artillery lifted and infantry went over parapet. The enemy had replied to our bombardment with a terrific fire, but this mattered nothing. The men simply poured over wave after wave of them, with the results that you know, ‘the news that reached England next day that a ‘strong raiding party had reached the enemy lines.’

“From the number of killed and wounded Germans lying in the trenches and the great damage done to the trenches it is evident that the British artillery was very accurate.”

“A particularly gratifying feature of the attack and one which bore evidence to the splendid training of the men was the way in which the N.C.O’s took over the duties of the officers when they fell.”

“My Company was almost entirely composed of Eastbourne men, and although losses are to be regretted it must some slight consolation to bereaved friends to know that the men all do so splendidly. I have the greatest admiration for them all and could never wish to command a better company.”

The second report was a small piece by the Gazette itself, which correctly assesses where the battle took place and the failure of the bombardment to destroy completely the enemies wire.

"The Scene of the Fighting

From statements which have reached us from various quarters it would seem that the Soutdowns were in action not near the Somme but a good many miles further north. Two battalions went first to the attack and the third battalion suffered less severely. Notwithstanding the prolonged bombardment the enemy’s wire remained intact in certain places and the Southdown’s suffered from machine gun fire. As the official lists show the casualties were heavy. The attack which was made may have been in the nature of a feint advance due to assist operations elsewhere, but it is not for us to do more than outline the facts which have come to our knowledge. "

Suffrage Societies and War Work

The Eastbourne Gazette, Four page pull-out on 20th December 1916 included a section, “What Eastbourne has done to Alleviate Distress and Suffering.”
In this Article Mrs. Fred Allen explains the work of the Eastbourne Society of Women’s Suffrage during the first two years of the war:

"Suffrage Societies and War Work

In accordance with the suggestion of the executive of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, to which the Eastbourne Society is affiliated, all political work was suspended when war broke out, and the society has strictly adhered to this principle. The principle will be rigidly observed so long as there is no proposal to alter the basis of the franchise for men. Regulations to prevent the disqualification of men who, but for the exigencies of war would have been qualified voters, have the approval and sympathy of the National Union and its affiliated societies.

The work of the Eastbourne Society during the year 1916 has been distributed amongst the various departments of war-work in the town rather than concentrated on any special effort of the society itself. The Belgian Club has been the principal financial responsibility – as some indication of its usefulness it may be mentioned that there are records of 1,100 loans of books from the French library connected with the club. The French Lending Library is now housed at the Free Library, as the Belgian Club is closed.
In the spring of this year (1916) the society took part in the “Munition Week” collection towards the Y.M.C.A. national effort to provide accommodation for the women munitions workers. In St. Mary’s Ward, for which the society became responsible, over £27 was collected.

Quite recently, in November (1916), an appeal sent out to the members of the society and a few sympathetic friends realised a sum of over £21 towards supplying urgent hospital necessaries to Dr. Elsie Inglis (Scottish Women’s Hospital N.U.W.S.S), who is in charge of the only hospital relief with the Serbian division of the Russian Army.

Many of the members of the society are engaged at the Red Cross hospitals, others are helping systematically in the canteen and entertainment work, mending for the soldiers and working in the Red Cross Depot. Others are making the Belgian refugees in the town their special care.

One happy result of the distribution of the society’s energies has been that it has provided opportunity with those who, while divided on the one and only ground which is the “raison d’etre” of the society, are one in the society in love of country, and in the passionate desire to help and heal which inspires all true women."

A Soldier before the Courts

This article appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 25th July 1917.
The soldier obviously thought he was hard done by, but the magistrate was more concerned about his ‘state of mine.’

"The Justice of a Soldier

"William Riley, on remand, was charged with being an absentee. He was a private in the Canadian regiment, and had been stationed at Seaford.

Police-constable Morris said he saw the prisoner, who was unshaven, and asked him if he had a pass, to which he replied, “I am a discharged soldier; I don’t want a pass.” He did not believe the prisoner whom he arrested. He had a dandy brush and two curry combs in his possession at the time.

The Chief Constable (Major Teale) said he had not been able to find out anything about the prisoner and requested a further remand for another week.

Prisoner – “Can I have the justice of a soldier?”

The Magistrates Clerk (Mr. E.O Langham) – “Certainly.”

Prisoner – “Then can I smoke in my cell? I am entitled to a smoke. A burglar gets a smoke.”

The Mayor said a remand would be granted, and prisoner must obey the police regulations. It was ordered that his state of mind should be enquired into."

Eastbourne's Military Tribunals

Military Tribunals came into being in 1915 as a result of the National Registration Bill that required all men and women between the ages of 15 and 65 to register. This Bill paved the way for the Derby Scheme which had a foundation that men between the ages of 18 and 41 should sign up or attest. Originally, they would only be called up for military service as and when needed dependant on marital status and importance of their jobs to the war effort. It was hoped to call up the single unemployed men first.

However, conscription was finally introduced in January 1916 under the Military Service Act and in May 1916, the Second Military Service Act made all men between the ages of 18 and 41 liable for military service. The Act graded all potential recruits according to medical fitness. If a man wanted to apply for an exemption from fighting he had to appear before a local tribunal. Eastbourne had three tribunals running namely: The Eastbourne Borough Tribunal, The East Sussex District Appeal Tribunal and The Eastbourne Rural Tribunal.

The Tribunals were made up of men of influence in the town, mostly councillors and magistrates and met weekly. There were also present representatives from the war ministry, who would put forward the case for conscription. The most famous Eastbourne representative was the formidable Mr. M.H. Beattie who was renowned for his vigour in getting everybody he could to the front. He was often challenged himself, for not joining up but was over the age for military service. However, as soon as the age limit was raised he confounded his critics by volunteering and served in France in 1918 as an officer.

Special mention should be made of Mr. Norfolk Megone, the conductor of Devonshire Park Orchestra who had to attend many, many meetings in order to fight for exemptions for his musicians. In one tribunal defending one of his musicians, he was up against Mr Beattie who was reported to say “This man would not be taken as he is passed fit for garrison duty. As a musician he is of no use to the nation. As a soldier he would be of some use.”


The Eastbourne Gazette, Four page pull-out on 20th December 1916 “How Eastbourne has provided Men and Money” provides an insight (albeit a rather ‘Flowery’ one) into the works of the tribunals and their members:-


"Three Tribunals

Frequent Sittings at Eastbourne

Almost Unexampled Patience

Three tribunals are holding frequent sittings at Eastbourne and naturally enough, their proceedings are keenly scrutinized and subjected to criticism which is sometimes friendly and sometimes very much the reverse. Men who for various reasons consider that they have a right to claim exemption are not likely to accept unfavourable decisions with equanimity. The wonder is not that protests are occasionally made, but that they are not more frequent, angry and empathic.

The Major and the Bootmaker

The Chairman of the Eastbourne Borough Tribunal (Major Harold P. Molineux, J.P), has attended the great majority of the sittings, his absence during a period of some weeks due to regrettable fact that he was summoned to France; where his son (Lieutenant Molineux) had sustained injuries of a very server character whilst engaged in the performance of his military duties on the Western Front. The other members of the tribunal are the Mayor (Alderman C. O’Brien Harding, J.P.), the Deputy Mayor (Councillor C.W. Bolton, C.S.I., J.P.), Alderman Edward Duke, J.P., Mr. Claude Bishop, J.P., Mr. C. Peerless Dennis (representing the Master Builders’ Association), Mr. T.B. Hasdell, Mr. R.J. Mines (representing the Labour interest) and Mrs. Campbell (St. Brannocks).

Deeply moved at the threatened loss of his only workman, a bootmaker uttered some earnest words of expostulation, pointing out the seriousness of the deprivation.
“You have the right to appeal, go and appeal!” exclaimed and irritated member of the Tribunal.
“We believe every word you have said!” These words spoken by Major Moilneux , in his clearest and most kindly tone, had an instant effect on the bootmaker, who went away consoled, if not satisfied. The worthy man deserves every consideration as he devotes himself to making improved footwear for the people who suffer torture when their boots are badly shaped and ill-fitting.

The Military Representative (Mr. M.H. Beattie) always suave and imperturbable has a keen sense of humour and he has assistance from Mr. W.W. Hugill and Mr. Jennison. The clerk is Mr. H.W. Fovargue and the assistant Clerk Mr. E.W. Batchelor.

It should be mentioned that nearly all the members of the tribunals have sons, brothers, or other near relatives at the Front. Mr. Beattie has two sons who have been in the thick of the fray, one of them having been wounded. The much discussed Mr. Beattie finds his work as military representative leaves him practically no leisure; he performs duties gratuitously and believing he is of some use, he retains the position in spite of the fact that he has been offered highly paid appointments.

An Urbane and Debonair Chaiman.

In Major R.L. Thornton, J.P., (High Cross, Framfield), the East Sussed District Appeal Tribunal has an experienced, able and courtly Chairman; and he is supported at the sittings at Eastbourne by Mr. E.J. Gorringe, J.P., (farmer of Chyngton, Seaford), Mr. T. Pargeter (a railway employee from Newhaven) and two Eastbourne town councillors, Mr. Stephen N. Fox, J.P., (barrister), and Mr. F.J. Huggett (town postman). Major W.W. Grantham (a very stalwart and soldierly figure in his perfect fitting khaki uniform) acts as military representative and Mr. Montague Harris (barrister) acts as clerk.

A conscientious objector, who had met with censure and criticism at the Borough Tribunal, was pleasantly surprised at the marked urbanity of Major Thornton, who, of course, has no sympathy with the views of anyone opposed to the resolute prosecution of the war.

An Athletic Military Representative.

Last, but very far from least, we must mention the Eastbourne Rural Tribunal, over which Colonel C.W. Owen, C.M.G., C.I.E., presides with marked ability and unfailing courtesy. The Tribunal also includes the Rev. J.T. Burns (Rector of Berwick), the Rev A.A. Evans (Vicar of East Dean), Mr. Harold Matthews, Mr. J. Birch, Mr. Youell, Mr. F.J. Hickman, Mr. Charles Thomas, Mr. G. Hornsby, Mr. J. Lockhart Reid, and Mr. E.G. Smith. Mr. Alfred Hunt is the military representative and such is his zeal and energy that he seems to have acquired a perfectly astonishing knowledge of the district.

In one instance at least, Mr. Hunt’s kindly intervention was the means, we have reason to believe, of rescuing a family of young children from a position of profound misery and possible danger. The details of the case would be interesting, but under the circumstances it will be wise to withhold them.

Mr. Hunt attends the sittings of the East Sussex Appeals Tribunal. On one occasion a man who had refreshed himself not wisely but sufficiently well, was guilty of smoking and putting his feet on an expensive table in the Council Chamber. Mr. Hunt, who is a man of considerable vigour, suddenly seized the offender by the collar and evicted him bodily from the room. For this useful and unexpected service the athletic military representative in the Rural District received the smilingly expressed thanks of Major Thornton.

Mr. T.E. Varley Kirtlan is the clerk to the Eastbourne Rural Tribunal, which has certainly done its work exceedingly well.

Two Patient Patriots

The patient and patriotic endurance of some long-suffering residents has been subjected to the most severe strain imaginable. For example, the Rev. E.L. Brown is frequently seen at sittings of local tribunals and it is probable that he holds an undefeated record in respect of the number of attendances. The story is often told of Sir Henry Hawkins having sent – to one of the counsel engaged in an almost intolerably tedious lawsuit which was being heard before him – a piece of paper on which was inscribed the words, “Honourable mention, Job; gold medal, Mr. Justice Hawkins.” A list of awards corrected up to date would take this form:-

Diamond Star – The Rev E.L. Browne
Gold Medal – Mr. Justice Hawkins.
Honourable mention – Job.

As the head of St. Andrew’s School, Meads, Mr. Browne is responsible for the education of boys intended for the Navy and unless they are properly grounded in mathematics they are not likely to be able to serve their country to the extent expected of them in these days of scientific warfare. Mr. Browne is only too well aware of the vital importance of this branch of education. Several of his colleagues (former assistant masters) are serving, and some, alas! Have fallen. His object in attending the Tribunal has been to retain the services of a master, who is qualifies to teach mathematics on the most modern lines. At the Eastbourne Tribunal there have been several discussions. Councillor Bolton has spoken of the merits of Todhunter. The Mayor, who is of opinion that modern methods are essential, is regarded as particularly well qualified to speak on the subject, having shown on many occasions that he has what is popularly styled a head for figures.

When the local tribunal decided in Mr. Browne’s favour, the urbane military representative (Mr. M.H. Beattie) intimated that he must appeal. Instead of expressing anger at this announcement, Mr. Browne said he realised that Mr. Beattie was “only doing what he regarded as his duty.”
In due time the military appeal came before the East Sussex Tribunal. The Chairman (Major R.L. Thornton) asked whether there was an objection to his presiding during the hearing of the case as he had sent both his boys to Mr. Browne’s school.

Major W.W. Grantham, speaking on behalf of the military, said he should not think of raising any objection, and he added, “I have a nephew at St. Andrew’s. It is the best school I know of.”
In the performance of his public duties, Major Grantham favours neither personal nor political friends, as was shown in a notable instance some time ago. Having spoken as he did of St. Andrew’s, it might have been supposed that he would alter his attitude; but he said, “Although it is such a good school i must still ask for this mathematical master for military service.”
Mr. Browne, who was neither elated by compliments nor cast down by persistent opposition, acknowledged the friendly remarks recorded by saying that those concerned with the school did their best.

For the present he retains his mathematical master. But the members of the tribunals may see him again and they are evidently found of a discussion with him.

Another patient frequenter of tribunals is Mr. Norfolk Megone, who may possibly succeed in beating Mr. Browne’s record of attendances. The conductor of Devonshire Park Orchestra has to attend to give information in reference to musicians serving under him. He has spent many hours in the Council Chambers at the Town Hall – waiting! waiting! waiting!
When the court is cleared - by the Borough Tribunal – the members of the County Tribunal do not resort to such an inconsiderable practice - Mr. Megone withdraws with the solicitors and others to a more or less cold and draughty corridor. But not a word of complaint ever falls from his lips.

Others may contrast the charming affability and politeness of Major Thornton with the less agreeable action of some of the Borough Tribunal, but Mr. Megone’s good humour is always unruffled. He can ill spare the time which he spends in the Council Chamber, but he realises that it is his duty to give all the information that can be required of him and as might be expected of a gentleman with an Irish patronymic, he has relatives serving with the colours and has a full share of patriotic fervour.

In connection with the shortage of labour the question of advertising has been raised at the tribunals and “The Eastbourne Gazette” and “The Sussex County Herald” have been frequently mentioned by would-be employees. One point should ever be borne in mind by members of tribunals and others it is not sufficient to advertise care must be taken to word the advertisement in such a way as to encourage people to reply to it. "


A final note:

The Chairman of the Eastbourne Borough Tribunal (Major Harold P. Molineux, J.P), had a son killed in the First World War.

Captain George King Molineux of the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers who died aged 28 on 5th May 1915 near Frenzenberg, Belgium. He has no know grave and is remembered on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Belgium.
(He was born on April 15th 1887, in Meads, Eastbourne and before the war he was a famous cricketer, playing for Oxford University and England).

The First Reports of the Battle of 'Boar's Head,

On 30th June 1916 the Southdowns Battalions took a major part in their first battle. It was a diversionary operation at the village of Richebourg L’Avoue in northern France. A set piece battle had been planned to straighten out the line of a German position known as Boar’s Head.

The first reports started to trickle back in early July 1916 together with the start of the Battle of the Somme which was further south. The casualties from the the Somme were enormous, in fact the 1st July 1916 was the worst day in the history of the British Army; 60,000 casualties either, dead, wounded or missing.

The Battle of 'Boar's Head' has today been largerly forgotten about, in fact many books about that time do not even mention it. The cost to the three South Downs Battalions and to the people of Sussex was terrible. The total causalities were 15 Officers and 364 other ranks killed or died of wounds and 21 Officers and 728 other ranks wounded. In total nearly 1,100. A conservative count of men killed coming from Eastbourne alone stands at 47, hardly a town in the county escaped without some casualties.

The Eastbourne Gazette on the 5th July 1916 carried the first reports as the wounded arrived .

Cheery Wounded

"Several of the men who arrived at Eastbourne on Sunday night have been serving in the Southdowns battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment; and we hear that most of them were wounded in the fighting last Friday. They are all bright and cheerful. A gentleman who visited a hospital ward on Monday was spoken to by the men who said, “We are in disgrace today. We have been laughing ever since we have been in here.”
The ambulance brought 142 men – eighty cot cases and sixty-two sitting cases. "

A week later on 12th July 1916, the Eastbourne Gazette received more information from a wounded soldier.

Southdowns in Action

Terrific Artillery Fire on Both Sides

Eastbourne Man Wounded Twice

"In August 1914, Private Leonard P. Newham (eldest son of Mr. L.G Newham, a director of Bobby & Co, Ltd.) joined the band of the 11th (Southdown) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment: and has been serving in France for several months. The strictness of military regulations precludes our giving the exact position of the troops engaged in the recent fighting. Private Newman, it appears, was wounded on July 1st and he seems to have written without delay a very cheery letter, from which it would seem that the Southdowns have emerged with credit from a severe ordeal.

“I am more than thankful that I escaped with this little lot. My wounds are only slight.
My word! It was a strafe! Our Brigade had a job to do and they did it, although the odds were against them. The artillery firing on both sides was simply terrific.
I was first wounded in the left forearm by a small piece of Shrapnel. While I was dressing a comrades wounds a shell burst somewhere near, and I stopped one piece with my right thigh.
Neither of my wounds was very serious. I dressed my leg and a sergeant did my arm, I fell in with Percy Clack (formerly of the cabinet department in Bobby & Co.’s) and walked with him till a piece of earth or something caught me and knocked nearly all the wind out of me.
I went up to the aid-post with two walking cases. The trench was smashed up in several places and was still being heavily shelled.
I proceeded to the advanced dressing station, and the enemy shelled that place, but no one was killed although on of the R.A.M.C. doctors received a wound in the head.
It was a marvellous thing that no more mischief was done, for dozens of men were lying practically helpless.
I met two or three of our fellows afterwards, and we all agreed it was the roughest time we had had.”

Private Newham is now in hospital at Colchester.

Mr. L.G. Newham second son (Sapper Hugh M. Newham) is serving in the Royal Engineers, and is in hospital at Maidenhead."

Private L.P Newham survived the war, Private Percy Clack the friend he mentions, (SD/156) died on 18th September 1918 aged 21 and is buried in STE. EMILIE VALLEY CEMETERY, VILLERS-FAUCON, France.

Boarding House Keeper Fined

This story on the home front is about keeping a Register of Aliens. The lady in question, although guilty was given a very lenient fine.

The Mayor must have had some sympathy with her, but the frustration is obviously with the Chief Constable who sent out forms for them to be thrown away!

It appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 25th July 1917:

“Boarding House Keeper Fined

Sarah Hill, boarding house keeper, of Marine Parade, was summoned for failing to keep a register of aliens staying at her house on July 12.

Inspector Cunnington gave evidence to the effect that two Belgians subjects were staying at defendant’s house was unable to produce an alien’s register recording the fact.

Defendant said she understood that it was not necessary to register foreign visitors when the customary forms had been filled in and submitted to the police by the aliens themselves.

The Chief Constable mentioned that he received three or four hundred forms a week which were not properly filled in. He also remarked that forms of instruction sent by the police to the boarding house keepers were sometimes relegated to the dustbins.

The Mayor emphasised the necessity for boarding house keepers and others to comply with the regulations and pointed out that defendant had rendered herself liable to a penalty of £100 by the breach. The Bench however, proposed to take a lenient view and imposed a fine of 15 shillings.”

“Lowthers Lambs” and the Rats

The 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment crossed to France via Southampton on 5th/6th March 1916, landing at Havre.

This letter from Private Wenham of the 11th appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 14th June 1916 and gave the people back in Eastbourne a taste of what was happening.

“Lowthers Lambs” and the Rats

'Mr and Mrs H. Wenham, of Meads Street Eastbourne, have received a letter from their son (Private F.P. Wenham) in which he says,

“We are doing another four days in the trenches, but as we have already done two we shall soon be out again. Then we shall go back a little way for eight days rest.

We are like the rats which infest this place – we only get active at night! When in the front line we have a fine game with the rats. When the rifles are placed on the parapet we stick a piece of toasted cheese on the bayonet, then when ‘Nibs’ comes along, pull trigger, and exit rat! The advantage of this means of execution is that there is always a chance of the bullet finding its way into the German trench and making Fritz nervous. You can take it from me, there is no need to worry on my behalf. The grub is pretty good, I am absolutely fit, and Fritz is far too busy to make a bullet with my number on it.”'


Private Frederick Peter Wenham served in the 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment (1st Southdowns). Service number SD/261.

He was subsequently transferred to the 9th Battalion. He died on 30th July 1917, aged 21 and is buried in LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Belgium.

The Southdowns Battalions

The Declaration of War was made on 4th August 1914, almost immediately men were queuing all over England to enlist and sign up for new infantry Battalions. Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War on the 15th August called for 100,000 volunteers.



On the Sussex coast in the town of Eastbourne, on the 2nd September, at the Town Hall a meeting was held to answer the request. Local land owned Claude Lowther, MP for Eskdale Cumberland who lived at Herstmonceux Castle, formed a countrywide committee and recruiting started with offices located in; Eastbourne, Bexhill, Bognor, Hastings, Seaford and Worthing. Within 56 hours some 1,100 men had enlisted and on the 7th September 1914, the 1st South Downs Battalion was formed.

The 1st South Downs Battalion consisted of four companies:
A Company was an Eastbourne company.
B Company from Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings.
C Company from Worthing, Herstmonceux, Horsham and Newhaven.
D Company from Bognor and Chichester.

The recruits were trained at Cooden Camp, near Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex, where conditions were basic; bell tents for accommodation, the mess halls were marquees and for washing they used wooden troughs and standpipes.

By the 3rd November the 2nd Battalion had been formed and a while later the 3rd Battalion. They too joined them at a newly constructed camp in Little Common and early 1915 saw them say goodbye to the Kitchener Blue jacket and trousers for the Khaki uniform and peaked cap. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd South Downs Battalions became known to all across Sussex as ‘Lowther’s Lambs’ after the Battalions were handed a orphaned lamb as a mascot in November 1914.

July 1915 and the Battalions were officially embodied into the British Army. The Battalion founder Lieut-Colonel Claude Lowther was replaced by Lieut-Colonel H.J.M. Grisewood. They were moved to Detling Camp, near Maidstone in Kent. The close of September 1915 saw them more to Aldershot and in November, together with the 14th Hampshire Regiment the formed the 116th Infantry Brigade of 39th Division. They were now known as the 11th, 12th and 13th Royal Sussex Regiment, but all original enlisters were allowed to suffix their Regimental Number with the letters ‘SD’.

The 39th Division was stationed at Witley and stayed there until 5th and 6th March 1916 when it was transferred to France. It consisted of three brigades (12 Battalions), 116th, 117th and 118th. They started off at Le Harve and then onto Sailly-sur-Lys.

The first real action was on 30th June 1916 at a diversionary operation at the village of Richebourg L’Avoue in northern France. There a set piece battle had been planned to straighten out the line of a German position known as Boar’s Head, Paul Reed has written an excellent article on this attack, ‘The Boar’s Head.’

The Battle lasted over four hours and although initially the allied bombardment had successfully cut some of the wire, great parts of it remained intact. With smoke shells causing confusion, the attackers had to bunch together to get through the defences and this gave the Germans easy targets. When the front line was eventually breached, violent counter attacks pushed the British back. The cost to the three South Downs Battalions was terrible as in reality no ground was gained. The total causalities were 15 Officers and 364 other ranks killed or died of wounds and 21 Officers and 728 other ranks wounded. In total nearly 1,100. A conservative count of men killed coming from Eastbourne alone stands at 47, hardly a town in the county escaped without some casualties.

It was also at this battle that the South Down Battalions were awarded their only Victoria Cross. Company Sergeant Major Nelson Victor Carter, 12th Battalion, who was fatally wounded whilst bringing in the wounded.
In additions to the VC for the work that day, an officer was awarded the D.S.O., 4 other officers received the M.C., 8 D.C.M's. and 20 M.M. were also awarded.

Afterwards the South Downs Battalions with new reinforcements fought at Festubert, Beaumont Hamel, and later in 1916, Thiepval. In 1917, Ypres, Passchendaele and St. Julien. In March 1918, the First Battles of the Somme and Battles of the Lys.

The 12th Battalion ceased to exist on 8th February 1918 and some of its surviving members were used to reinforce the 11th and 13th.

The 11th was then sent to North Russia in 1919.



For futher Information, see Paul Reed's website on : 11th Battalion, 12th Battalion, 13th Battalion, The Battle of Boars Head.

Miniature Tank Week

Field Marshal Lord Roberts, who had won the Victoria Cross in 1857, had long campaigned for more to be done for ex-servicemen, especially those who had been disabled. He took a keen interest in the Workshops and became one of the Trustees. Following his death in 1914 while visiting troops in France it was decided, as a memorial to him, to expand the workshops and to name them after him.
By 1920 there were eleven Workshops around the country producing a wide variety of goods including basket ware, toys, beds and bedding and all types of furniture.

As a fund raising scheme Miniature Tanks were produced to collect money, Mrs. Erskine a successful Eastbourne fund raiser started the scheme rolling in Eastbourne.

This editorial appeared on 11th September 1918 in the Eastbourne Gazette

Miniature Tank Week

"In another column will be noticed an appeal by Mrs. Erskine for support in connection with a special “Week.” She is arranging to commence on September 30. The object is a most worthy one, viz, to assist the Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops Fund, which provides practical training for men who have been disabled in the service of their country. It will be remembered that last summer the tireless Mrs. Erskine organised a fete which proved extraordinarily successful. Such a project cannot be repeated this year, and Mrs. Erskine, stimulated by the result of Eastbourne Tank Week, has decided to make weeks collection with the aid of miniature tanks. There is a scheme in progress for the establishment of a workshop at Brighton for the training of disabled and limbless men belonging to our own county regiment and the regiments to two neighbouring counties, and it is to this object that the collections will be devoted. The least Sussex people can do is to provide for their own countrymen who have paid all but the full price for England and Eastbourne must cheerfully bear a share of the burden. We must see that those who have suffered the supreme agony of war-disablement are made care-free and a happy as possible. A means to this end the Lord Roberts Memorial Worksops Fund, which will give the broken soldier the opportunity to learn and work at a trade suitable to his disability, and thus, with the aid of his pension, make him self-supporting and free from the stigma of charity. Such a scheme cannot but be very near the hearts of Eastbourne people and Mrs. Erskine must inevitably achieve success in her Miniature Tank Week."

A week later Mrs Erskine wrote to the Gazette (18th September 1918) and they published her letter.

The Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops.

Sir, - The Tanks have come. I hope Eastbourne will remember that, though I have not got a flag day in aid of the above, I am waiting for people to take a “tank money box” and collect during the week, September 30 to October 5. Messers. Chadwick Ltd. Have generously lent me 38 Grove road as my office. Two disabled men will be there from the Brighton workshops for that week to answer all questions. The reason why it is so costly to equip the workshops with the machinery is that it has to be specially designed to fit the requirements of one-armed and one-legged men. Patronise the entertainments got up during the week. Show the disabled men your enthusiasm and zeal. They are looking for it.

The Sussex, Kent and Hants men are to be provided for at this big workshop in Brighton. Look at the plan of it, which will be on view in my “Shop.” The sooner the money comes in the quicker it can be built. Your money is a thank offering to these men: make it worthy. I wish I could stir you all to give generously. Their generous giving meant life itself and failing life, a broken body; for you and me. The only ask now to be enabled to earn a living for themselves and those they love. I pray you give it. Let us also say, as they did: “We are at your disposal to death.”

Yours truly, M. Erskine.
Local Hon. Secretary, Treasurer and Organising Secretary.

About Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a medium sized town in East Sussex, on the south coast of England, with an estimated population of 93,630 as at August 2005.The area has seen human activity since the stone age and remained as an area of small settlements right up until the 19th Century. The town then started to expand, assisted by the arrival of the railway, to make Eastbourne a prime Edwardian seaside resort.

Geographically, Eastbourne is situated at the eastern end of the South Downs, and boasts the famous Beachy Head cliff, as well as extensive beaches. The main town lies sheltered to the East of the cliffs helping to contribute to its high sunshine record.

History

The area around Eastbourne is known to have been settled throughout history. Flint mines plus other Stone Age artefacts have been found in the surrounding countryside, and there are Roman sites within the modern boundaries of the town. In 1717, a Roman bath and section of pavement were discovered between the present pier and the Redoubt fortress in the hamlet then known as Sea Houses, while in 1841, the remains of a Roman villa were found near the entrance to the pier and lie buried near the present Queens Hotel.

An Anglo-Saxon charter, circa 963 AD, describes a landing stage and stream at Bourne. Following the Norman Conquest, the Hundred of what is now Eastbourne, was held by Robert, Count of Mortain, William the Conqueror's half brother. The Domesday Book lists 28 ploughlands, a church, a watermill, fisheries and salt pans. A charter for a weekly market was granted to Bartholomew de Badlesmere in 1315-16; this increased his status as Lord of the Manor and improved local industry. During the Middle Ages the town was visited by King Henry I and in 1324 by Edward II. Evidence of Eastbourne's medieval past can seen in the fourteenth century Church of St Mary's and the manor house called Bourne Place. This manor house is owned by the Dukes of Devonshire and was extensively remodelled in the early Georgian era when it was renamed Compton Place. In the mid-sixteenth century the house was home to the Burton family, who acquired much of the land on which the present town stands.
Eastbourne's earliest claim as a seaside resort came about following a summer holiday visit by four of King George III's children in 1780 (Princes Edward and Octavius, and Princesses Elizabeth and Sophia).

In 1793, following a survey of coastal defences in the southeast, approval was given for the positioning of infantry and artillery to defend the bay between Beachy Head and Hastings from attack by the French. 14 Martello Towers were constructed along the western shore of Pevensey Bay, continuing as far as Tower 73, the Wish Tower at Eastbourne. Several of these towers survive: the Wish Tower is an important feature of the town's seafront, and part of Tower 68 forms the basement of a house on St. Antony's Hill. Between 1805 and 1807, the construction took place of a fortress known as the Eastbourne Redoubt, which was built as a barracks and storage depot, and armed with 10 cannons.

Eastbourne remained an area of small rural settlements until the 19th century. Four villages or hamlets occupied the site of the modern town: Bourne (or, to distinguish it from others of the same name, East Bourne), is now known as Old Town, and this surrounded the bourne (stream) which rises in the present Motcombe Park; Meads, where the Downs meet the coast; South Bourne (near the town hall); and the fishing settlement known simply as Sea Houses, which was situated to the east of the present pier.

By the mid–19th century most of the area had fallen into the hands of two landowners: John Davies Gilbert (the Davies-Gilbert family still own much of the land in Eastbourne and East Dean) and William Cavendish, Earl of Burlington. Encouraged by the growing appreciation of the seaside sparked by Richard Russell's assertion of its medicinal benefits in 1752, these were to oversee the creation of what became known as "the Empress of Watering Places".

An early plan, for a town named Burlington was abandoned, but on 14 May 1849 the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway arrived to scenes of great jubilation. With the arrival of the railway, the town's growth accelerated. Cavendish, now the 7th Duke of Devonshire, hired Henry Currey in 1859 to lay out a plan for what was essentially an entire new town — a resort built "for gentlemen by gentlemen". The town grew rapidly from a population of less than 4,000 in 1851 to nearly 35,000 by 1891. In 1883, it was incorporated as a municipal borough; a purpose-built town hall was opened in 1886.

This period of growth and elegant development continued for several decades. A royal visit by George V and Queen Mary in March 1935 is commemorated by a plaque on chalet number 2 at Holywell.

World War II saw a change in fortunes. Initially, children were evacuated to Eastbourne on the assumption that they would be safe from German bombs, but soon they had to be evacuated again because after the fall of France in June 1940 it was anticipated that the town would lie in an invasion zone. Part of Operation Sealion, the German invasion plan, envisaged landings at Eastbourne. Many people sought safety away from the coast and shut up their houses. Restrictions on visitors forced the closure of most hotels, and private boarding schools moved away. Many of these empty buildings were later taken over by the services. The Royal Navy set up an underwater weapons school, and the Royal Air Force operated radar stations at Beachy Head and on the marshes near Pevensey. Thousands of Canadian soldiers were billeted in and around Eastbourne from July 1941 to the run-up to D-Day. The town received more air attacks than any other in the south-eastern region, and many original Victorian and Edwardian buildings were damaged or destroyed. The situation was especially bad between May 1942 and June 1943 with hit–and–run raids from fighter–bombers based in northern France.

Within Eastbourne's limits are:

Langney: Langney Rise, Shinewater, Kingsmere, Langney Village, The Marina, Langney Point.

Hampden Park: Hampden Park village, Willingdon trees, Winkney farm, Ratton.

Inner areas: Rodmill, Ocklynge, Seaside, Bridgemere, Downside, Roselands.

Town centre: Town centre, Little Chelsea, Meads, Holywell, Old Town.

Sovereign Harbour: North Harbour, South Harbour.

The seafront at Eastbourne is distinctive in having few shop fronts opening onto it, the road being almost entirely populated by Victorian hotels. This is because much of Eastbourne has traditionally belonged to the Duke of Devonshire, who retains the rights to these buildings and does not allow them to be developed into shops. Along with its pier and bandstand, this serves to preserve the front in a somewhat timeless manner.

Fore more infomation visit Wikipedia