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Harley Shute Notable Bomb Sites

Harley Shute, St Leonards

  • 7th November 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Harley ShuteOn 15th August 1940, two German bombers dropped 10 high explosive bombs on Harley Shute, Maze Hill and Saxon Street in St Leonards.

Maggie May Wright was killed at her home at Briar Mead, Harley Shute and two others were injured in the incident. The image above shows the approximate location, based on the hand drawn bomb map, but it is difficult to know exactly where Maggie’s home was.

Bexleigh Avenue, St Leonards Notable Bomb Sites

40 and 42 Bexleigh Road, St Leonards

  • 31st October 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Bexleigh Avenue, St Leonards

On Wednesday 14th August 1940 at around 3:40pm a lone German bomber dropped six high explosive bombs on St Leonards and Hastings.

At 40 and 42 Bexleigh Avenue, a bomb killed Caroline Felton, aged 77 and James Harmer, a member of the Home Guard aged 41 as it demolished several houses. Pine Avenue was also hit. Two other people were injured. one seriously.

Ernest Neville Pitt Service Personnel

Pitt, Ernest Neville

  • 1st August 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Ernest Neville Pitt

Name: Ernest Neville Pitt

Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class

Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves

Wife: Winifred Esther Pitt

Parents: Ernest Jasper & Charlotte Elizabeth Pitt

Address: Sedlescombe

Additional Information: Ernest Pitt died aged 30 on 16th August 1940. The inscription on his grave reads “With tender love and deep regret, those who love him will never forget “.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

Percy Edward Cruttenden Service Personnel

Cruttenden, Percy Edward

  • 31st May 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Percy Edward Cruttenden

Name: Percy Edward Cruttenden

Rank: Sapper

Regiment: 262 Field Company, Royal Engineers

Wife: Mrs Nellie Elizabeth Cruttenden

Home Address: Girvan, Ayrshire

Parents: Mr Charles and Mrs Esther Cruttenden

Parents Address: Hastings

Additional Information: Percy Cruttenden died aged 22 on 19th August 1940. The inscription on the grave marker reads: “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

This page on the Sussex History Forum provides more information about Percy.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

Roger John Stewart Chainey Service Personnel

Chainey, Roger John Stewart

  • 27th May 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Roger John Stewart Chainey

Name: Roger John Stewart Chainey

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Parents: Mr Henry & Mrs Ellen Chainey

Address: Hastings

Additional Information: Roger Chainey died aged 19 on 19th August 1940. The inscription on the grave marker reads: “Time can never heal so great a sorrow”.

The Sussex History forum has the following information copied from the Hastings and St Leonards Observer from Saturday 31st August 1940:

“Buried in Heroes’ Corner. CORPORAL ROGER CHAINEY. The death of Corporal Roger John Stewart Chainey occurred on Monday last week, at a base hospital, following wounds received while he was on active service in France. He was a son of Mr. H. Chainey, 30, North-terrace, Hastings, and although only 19 years of age, he was well known and respected by many local people. During his boyhood days he was a member of the Boys’ Life Brigade attached to the Halton Baptist Mission, and later joined the Round Table Boys’ Club at Halton. When only 15 years of age Corporal Chainey Joined the local Territorial unit of the Sussex Regiment, and was called for service at the outbreak of war, later being transferred to another battalion of the same regiment, with whom he served overseas. He was a keen bandsman and was placed in charge of the drums of his last battalion. He was also a member of the Cinque Ports Ancient Order of Foresters

The funeral took place at the Borough Cemetery on Monday, the interment being in the Heroes’ Corner, and the coffin was draped with the Union Jack. The coffin was carried by four soldier colleagues, who saluted their departed comrade at the graveside. The service was conducted by the Rev P. H. Crunden (minister of Welllngton-Square  Baptist Church), who spoke highly of Corporal Chainey’s association with the Boys’ Life Brigade and the Round Table Boys’ Club, and the splendid sacrifice he had made for his country’s cause.”

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

Hastings Cemetery Civilian

Wright, Maggie May

  • 8th January 202012th January 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Hastings Cemetery

Name: Maggie May Wright

Died on: Thursday, 15th August 1940

Died at: Briarmead, Harley Shute, St Leonards

Additional Information: Maggie, aged 53, died when multiple bombers dropped 10 high explosive bombs on Harley Shute, Maze Hill and Saxon Street. Two others were injured, one seriously.

The information provided by CWGC states that Maggie was married to Robert Henry Russell Wright.

I missed Caroline’s grave marker when I visited Hastings Cemetery, so will provide a photograph of it after I go there again.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

James Thomas Harmer Civilian

Harmer, James Thomas

  • 7th January 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

James Thomas Harmer

Name: James Thomas Harmer

Died on: Wednesday, 14th August 1940

Died at: 40 Bexleigh Avenue, St Leonards

Additional Information: James Harmer died when a lone bomber dropped 6 high explosive bombs on Bexleigh Avenue, Pine Avenue and West St Leonards. One other person was killed, and another two injured, one seriously.

The information provided by CWGC states that James was the son of George James Thomas and Jean Frances Harmer and married to Florence Harmer. A member of the Home Guard, he died aged 41.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

Hastings Cemetery Civilian

Felton, Caroline Frances

  • 7th January 20207th January 2020
  • by WW2RollofHonour

Hastings Cemetery

Name: Caroline Frances Felton

Died on: Wednesday, 14th August 1940

Died at: 42 Bexleigh Avenue, St Leonards

Additional Information: Caroline Felton died when a lone bomber dropped 6 high explosive bombs on Bexleigh Avenue, Pine Avenue and West St Leonards. One other person was killed, and another two injured, one seriously.

The information provided by CWGC states that Caroline, who was the widow of Alfred James Fenton, died aged 77 later that day at the Buchanan Hospital.

I missed Caroline’s grave marker when I visited Hastings Cemetery, so will provide a photograph of it after I go there again. She does not seem to be named on Hastings War Memorial.

If you can provide more information about this person, please comment below or contact me here.

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