East Sussex ‘Then and Now’: February – October 1915

‘Then and Now’ images

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’ seriesread more about Compelling Photography 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) Military Team Road Race

Runners line up to take part in a military team road race in Havelock Road, Hastings. There were eight teams and 79 runners. The following regiments were represented: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 10 Battalion Loyal (typed Loyal in the paper, could be a typo) North Lancashires, R.A.M.C. Training Corps, 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment, 9th South Lancashire Regiment and 7th & 8th South Wales Borderers. The race was won by Corporal Arthur of the 8th South Wales Borderers, completing the 9.5 mile course in 54 minutes 39 secs. The team event was won by the R.A.M.C .Training Corps. Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (February 18, 1915)

2) 9th Hants Cyclist Regiment on Silchester Road

Some men of the 9th Hants Cyclist Regiment line up along Silchester Road after a service at Christ Church, St Leonards. Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (May 6, 1915)

3) Double Wedding at St Peter’s Church

The joint wedding of Ethel Mabel and Private Albert Read of D Company, 7th South Wales Borderers and Eleanor Constance and Ernest Necklen. The ceremony took place at St Peter’s Church, St Leonards on Monday 3rd May 1915. Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (May 6, 1915)

4) Sunday Music in Alexandra Park

Crowds gather for the opening performance by the Municipal Band in Alexandra Park. Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (May 13, 1915)

5) Combined military church parade, Priory Road, Hastings

The 2/5th Royal Sussex Regiment, 3rd & 4th Batteries of the R.F.A and 9th Hampshire (Cyclist) Regiment took place in a church parade. A military band is shown leading the way to Emmanuel Church along Priory Road, Hastings. Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (October 21, 1915)

6) Sussex Land Girls outside Lewes County Hall.

WW1 Land Army girls outside County Hall, Lewes. Reported in the Sussex Express August 3rd 1919. They had been to a medal presentation and stand down parade in the Dripping Pan. During wartime service in East Sussex, 204 Land Girls were paid 25 shillings per week less 17 shillings board money

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.