Notable Bomb Sites
On 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.
Notable Bomb Sites
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.
Service Personnel
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.
Service Personnel
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.
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Service Personnel
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.”
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Civilian
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.
Civilian
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.
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Civilian
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.