St Leonards Archives - WW2 Roll Of Honour

Carisbrooke Road, St Leonards

2nd January 2021
by WW2RollofHonour

On Thursday 26th September 1940 a lone bomber dropped 14 HE bombs on Carisbrooke Road, London Road, Norman Road, Alfred Street and Silchester Road. The town suffered two attacks on this day.

Mary Backman, aged 74, was injured at Carisbrooke Road, St Leonards and died two days later. The image above shows the approximate location, based on the original bomb map featured in the publication ‘Hastings and St Leonards in the Front Line’. Two other people were killed in the raids, and several others injured.

Notable Bomb Sites

25 Magdalen Road, St Leonards

15th December 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

On Wednesday 25th September 1940 St Leonards was subjected to two attacks at 1:15pm and 2:20pm. Eighteen high explosive bombs and 1 oil incendiaries were dropped. Properties in King’s Road, Western Road, Royal Terrace, Magdalen Road were severely damaged. Shornden Reservoir in Alexandra Park was also hit.

Victoria Hicks was killed in the raid whilst sheltering at her home at 25 Magdalen Road. Two other people were killed in the raids, but I’m unable to find out who they were. Sixteen other people were seriously injured.

Notable Bomb Sites

Christ Church School, St Leonards

5th December 20205th December 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

On Tuesday 10th September 1940 at 5:30pm nine high explosive bombs were dropped across St Leonard’s at Hollington Park, The Green, Sedlescombe Road South, Tower Road West, St Peter’s Road, Cloudsley Road, Woodland Vale Road and Christchurch School. Around 30 incendiary bombs were also dropped during the raid, setting several roof fires which were quickly brought under control by the Fire Service.

Amelia Wheeler was wounded near to Christ Church School and her home at 6 Tower Road. She died later that day at the Buchanan Hospital.

Notable Bomb Sites

35 St Peter’s Road, St Leonards

14th November 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Florence Cornwall was badly injured near her home at 35 St Peter’s Road and died later that day at the Buchanan Hospital.

Notable Bomb Sites

Harley Shute, St Leonards

7th November 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

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

40 and 42 Bexleigh Road, St Leonards

31st October 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

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

Wareham, Robert Edward

28th August 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: Robert Edward Wareham

Rank: Ordinary Telegraphist

Ship: HMS Sweet Briar

Parents: Mr & Mrs G R Wareham

Address: St Leonards

Additional Information: Robert Wareham died aged 18 on 9th March 1945. The inscription on his grave reads “Deep in our hearts a memory is kept of a dear son at rest. Mum and Dad.”

More information about Robert can be read on the Sussex History Forum.

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

Service Personnel

Venables, James

27th August 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: James Venables

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Royal Army Pay Corps

Parents: Mr & Mrs Thomas Venables

Wife: Maude Venables

Address: St Leonards

Additional Information: James Venables died aged 59 on 8th May 1941. He was a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal. The inscription on his grave reads “Faithful through all things to all things.”

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

Service Personnel

Sellens, Albert Victor

22nd August 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: Albert Victor Sellens

Rank: Sapper

Regiment: Royal Engineers

Address: St Leonards

Additional Information: Albert Sellens died on 31st August 1941.

More information about Robert can be read on the Sussex History Forum here. He also served in the Royal Engineers during WW1, a photograph and more information is here.

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

Service Personnel

Povey, John Herbert

2nd August 2020
by WW2RollofHonour

Name: John Herbert Povey

Rank: Flying Officer

Regiment: Royal Air Force

Parents: Charles Herbert & Elsie Marion Povey

Address: St Leonards-on-Sea

Additional Information: John Povey, a Bomb Aimer, died aged 20 on 24th November 1944. More information about him can be read in the Sussex History Forum here.

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