East Sussex ‘Then and Now’: August 1915 – March 1917

Kieron Pelling has created a series of images especially for the East Sussex World War 1 website which overlay original photos taken during the period 1914 to 1919 with contemporary photos taken in the same place. The latest in this wonderful series, called ‘Then and Now’, can be seen in the gallery below. See more of our ‘Then and Now’ series, and see more of Kieron’s beautiful work on his website, Compelling Photography.

Do you have a photo we could add to the series?
Do you have a photograph taken between 1914 and 1919 that shows how East Sussex was affected by the war? Could we use it to create a ‘Now and Then’ image? More about sending us an image at bottom of the page.

1) Pilgrimage to Hastings Castle

Huge crowds of people witnessed the annual Roman Catholic Pilgrimage from St Mary Star-of-the-Sea Church to the Chapel in the ruins of Hastings Castle. The image shows the head of the procession passing the Fishmarket in Hastings Old Town.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (26th August 1915)

2) Military Funeral at Hastings

The military funeral procession of William Henry Edmunds passes pass the Fishmarket in Hastings Old Town.

From the paper “Deep sympathy is extended to Mr & Mrs H Edmunds and family of Gladstone House, Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings in the sad loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son Lance Corporal William Henry Edmunds at the early age of 20. The funeral took place at the borough cemetery with full military honours, with the Rev H C B Foyster of St Clements officiating. A large number of friends and sympathisers assembled at Rock-a-Nore and along the route. The coffin was dressed with the Union Jack and the deceased hat, tunic and bayonet along with Captain Holman’s Wreath. Lance Corporals Stevens, Philpot, Dennett, Hilder Wheel and Towner, the deceased cousin, acted as bearers.”

A firing party was furnished from the 2/2nd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers under Sergeant Major P F Edwards. The Band of the 2/5th Royal Sussex Regiment under Sergeant Drummer Pratt was in attendance and a contingent of about a hundred and seventy men from the 2/2nd and 3/2nd Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers under the command of Captain W J Ticehurst.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (14th October 1915)

3) For the Army and Navy

An image of the Recruiting Office for the Royal Naval Division (RND) and 5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment (RSR). The window displayed a number of war souvenirs including Belgian and French cartridges, a German bullet, shrapnel and a mess tin that saved the life of Sergeant Major T Smith of the 2/5th Royal Sussex. Another relic is a piece of tattered kharki, a momento of the 9th May when the ‘Fearless Fifth’ gave such a good account of themselves. They now appeal to all able men to come forward and help them add to the glory already won by the regiment.

There are also models of torpedo boats and a waterplane and a number of large and small shells. In the present crisis the British Navy has proved its supremacy of the sea and the Royal Naval Division appeal to young men to step in and see that the supremacy is never broken.

Standing fifth from left is Able Seaman Holdren who has just completed forty years regular and voluntary service in the Navy. He is in charge of the Recruiting Office for the RND. Third from left is Sergeant Sullivan in charge of the Recruiting Office for the RSR.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (21st October 1915)

4) Canadian Garrison Duty Depot

A portrait of the Canadian Duty Depot at Carlisle Parade, Hastings, under the command of Majors McLeod and Lyndon.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (22nd February 1917)

5) St John Hospital

A photograph of the men and staff outside of the Hospital of St John in Holmesdale Gardens, St Leonards.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (1st March 1917)

About Compelling Photography
Compelling Photography is a website that shows Kieron Pelling’s photography. Most of his photos are based in or around Hastings and East Sussex, but also from his travels overseas.

Kieron’s interest in the history behind places and people led him to start creating the Then and Now series of images. Shortly after Hastings Pier burnt down, he discovered the work of Russian photographer Sergey Larenkov. Larenkov’s ‘Link to the Past’ images showed how powerful the technique can be. Kieron’s first Now and Then image was one of Hastings Pier; half burnt and half in its prime.

Since then Kieron has created many such images, including a series specially for the East Sussex World War 1 website.

Then and Now Images
Do you have a photograph taken between 1914 and 1919 that shows how East Sussex was affected by the war? Would it work for a ‘Now and Then’ image? Send it to us and it could be chosen to create one.

There are some requirements for these images:

1. Is there something in the old photograph that is still present today? A building, landmark or road that is still recognisable ties the modern scene in with the old.

2. Can the modern day photographer stand where the original photographer stood? 100 years has passed, so trees have grown and buildings have been demolished.

3. The photographer will not usually be able to access buildings to take photographs from height.

4. Is the environment safe for the modern day photographer? For instance traffic was much different in 1914!

If you think you have an appropriate image, please send a high resolution scan in jpeg format (at least 300dpi*) with a description of the image and information about the location.

*This resolution is required so that the image is large enough to place over a modern day jpeg and retain good detail.