East Sussex 'Then and Now': March 1915 - June 1916

‘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’ 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.

: 11th Welch at Sunday Service

: The 9th Hampshire Cyclist’s Regiment

: Intercessory Service at Rye

: Wounded Soldiers out Recruiting

: The War Hospital Supply Depot

: St Paul’s Band of Hope

1) 11^th Welch at Sunday Service

Over 200 of B Company of the 11^th Welch Regiment attended Divine Service at Winchelsea Church on Sunday 7^th March 1915.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (11^th March, 1915)

2) The 9^th Hampshire Cyclist’s Regiment

An inspection of the 9^th Hampshire Cyclist’s Regiment took place in St Leonards in May 1915. The image shows them in formation near to West Marina Gardens, St Leonards.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (6^th May, 1915)

3) Intercessory Service at Rye

An open air Intercessory Service was held on the Salts at Rye in celebration of Empire Day. The feature was a procession of over 1,000 children from Rye, Playden and Rye Harbour.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (29^th July, 1915)

4) Wounded Soldiers out Recruiting

A group of men from the 5^th Royal Sussex went round with the recruiting committee trying to get recruits for the 3^rd 5^th (sic). Nearly of the men have been at the Front and are home on leave. Several are wounded but are returning to duties shortly. Image taken outside of Battle Abbey.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (29^th July, 1915)

5) The War Hospital Supply Depot

The workers and committee of the War Hospital Supply Depot at 41 Marina entertained 50 Canadian soldiers from stationed around Hastings and St Leonards. They were treated to tea followed by musical entertainment in the large work halls on the ground floor of the building.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (27^th April, 1916)

6) St Paul’s Band of Hope

A group of children as they appeared the patriotic tableau “Britannia’s Flag” which scored a success in St Paul’s Parish Hall on Empire Day and resulted in the sum of £4,5s being sent to the local fund for British Prisoners. They carry the Challenge Banner which was won by the group.

Original Image from: Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser (1^st June, 1916)

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.