The Bedford Arms was established in Queen’s Road, Hastings in 1865. It was both a hotel and public house. At 12pm on Saturday 5th October 1940 the building was directly hit by a high explosive bomb, one of 12 such bombs dropped by a lone German bomber. They struck Queens Road, Milward Road, Wellington Road, … Read more
On Saturday 5th October 1940 a lone bomber dropped 12 high explosive bombs on Hastings, one of which exploded near to 12 Wellington Road. Three people died as a result of the explosion including Richard Bourn who was killed instantly. George Martin died at the Royal East Sussex Hospital later that day and Annie Ludlow … Read more
On Monday 30th September 1940 a lone bomber dropped a high explosive bomb near to 484 Bexhill Road, St Leonards. Henry Cook, who lived at the address, died as a result of the explosion. This happened on the same day as a bomb exploded over Hastings Town Centre, causing the most casualties in a single … Read more
On Monday 30th September 1940, Hastings suffered its worst incident of the war so far. A lone bomber dropped 1 HE Bomb which skipped off the roof of the Plaza Cinema in Hastings Town Centre (now a Yate’s Pub) and exploded in mid air. The explosion was devastating, resulting in the deaths of 14 people … Read more
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, … Read more
The first ‘tip and run’ raid on Hastings during WW2 occurred on 26th July 1940 a little after 7am. A single fighter bomber dropped 11 high explosive bombs on the Cricket Ground, Gladstone Terrace, Whitefriars Road, Priory Road, Bembrook Road and the West Hill, Hastings. Alice Rummery, of 17 Lennox Street, Halton was badly injured. … Read more
On Thursday 26th September 1940 three fighter bombers dropped 40 HE bombs on Queen’s Road, Nelson Road, Milward Road & St Mary’s Terrace. They were attacking the gas holders and railway line. Nelson Kemp, a Special Constable, was killed near to 158 Queens Road. Two other people were killed in the raid, and several others … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
On Monday 23rd September 1940 a lone bomber dropped three high explosive bombs and an oil bomb on the Halton area of Hastings. Albion Street was hit hard, with Robert Winborn and Louisa Winborn killed at their home at 46 Albion Street. Five houses were demolished and others seriously damaged. There were many other injuries … Read more