Among the surviving 40% of the records of soldiers who served in the First World War, many Gypsy and Traveller names are to be found. The Medal Rolls give further evidence of their participation, including a number of Military Medals and at least one Victoria Cross. Many Gypsies and Travellers volunteered at the outbreak of […]
The Hon Gerard Freeman-Thomas was one of the first casualties of WW1 in the Eastbourne area and his death was to have far reaching consequences for the future development of large areas of Willingdon and parts of Eastbourne. Gerard Frederick Freeman-Thomas was the elder son and heir of Freeman Freeman-Thomas, Lord Willingdon who became the […]
During the First World War, the only regular link soldiers had to the home front was through the postal service. The sheer number of letters and parcels travelling between the Western Front and Britain meant the postal service would have to adapt to the demands of war. Before the outbreak of war the British postal […]
During the First World War, maintaining discipline within the various armies was a subject of debate, concern and controversy. How best to deal with those men who broke, or were perceived to have broken, military laws and expectations would see some soldiers being sentenced to death. The rules that governed the behaviour and treatment of the […]
Frederick Thomas Divall, was born and raised in Blackham Village. The town still commemorates his name and sacrifice during the First World War. Frederick was born in 1878 in Blackham, the son of Jesse and Sarah. In 1891 the family lived at Highfields Park Cottage. In 1901, aged 23, he lived at Gonore working as a bricklayer […]
Major Alfred John Martineau was the Commander of 1/1 Company Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery (R.G.A.) from the 26th Aug 1914 to 15th November 1915 Alfred John Martineau was born in 1871, the youngest son of Judge Alfred and Maria Martineau, 6 Evelyn Terrace, Brighton. He was educated at St.Thomas’s Hospital, taking the Membership of the Royal College of […]
Bombardier Clement William Whyborn was the first Bexhill man to fall during the First World War. Monday 15th September 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Bombardier Clement William Whyborn, the first Bexhill man to be killed in action during the First World War. The town had already been affected by the outbreak […]
Living in St Leonards at the outbreak of the war, Reginald Cox signed up to fight. By the end of the war he had suffered serious injuries in the line of duty. My Great Uncle on my Mother’s side was Reginald Cox who was born in 1892 in Edenbridge, Kent. In 1914 he was living […]
A few years ago, looking into my Family Tree, I discovered I had a great Uncle, Benjamin, killed in action 3rd October 1918 in France and buried in TEMPLEUX-LE-GUERARD BRITISH CEMETERY on the Somme. The name is on the memorial on the Bexhill Marina and the family address was 59 Sidley Street, Bexhill. We made […]
Having grown up in East Sussex before moving to Australia, George Lade would become one of ‘Lowther’s Lambs’ and participate in the darkest day for Sussex during the war. Joined Royal Sussex Regiment in 1914 My paternal grandfather George Lade was born in Hailsham, Sussex but after marrying Kate Yates in 1910, they decided to emigrate to Australia […]
