Searching for details about the Canadian base at Eastbourne

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Phil

http://www.eastbournehistory.org.uk/

Good luck.

regards
darrell

[Phil Bristow]

Thanks for your replies David & Darrell,
I'll follow through with the link to the Eastbourne Historic Society.
Dad mentioned being stationed at Nutfield Abbey in his letter.
He doesn't give the exact date of his deployment to Eastbourne, except that he was there when the raid occurred.
After my post yesterday, I discovered that a book was written in 2006 about Canadians in Eastbourne during WWII. That may be helpful as well.

I understand that Canadian military records are locked for 75 years after the war. That makes it 2020 before I can see my father's file and finally fill in the gaps he only refers to in his letter.

Phil

[David Dunlop]

Phil. The 75 year rule only applies to general public release of the records.

You can apply for a copy of your Father's Army Service Records at any time, for a fee, since you are his Son. They keep dinking around with the rules, so I would suggest having a copy of your Father's Death Certificate, in case you are asked, and his Service Number will speed up the search immensely. You should be able to find all the current requirements on line.

David

[Phil Bristow]

Thank You for your good information David.
I've found the address on the Gov't of Canada website.
I've also found an updated copy of Canucks by the Sea through the excellent Eastbourne Historical Society.
I'll let you know how things turn out.
Phil

[Lauren Child]

Funnily enough I grew up in Eastbourne. Your best bet is to contact (and visit) the Redoubt fortress military museum on the seafront. The museum covers local military history from the napoleonic era through to modern day, so they should be able to help.

It's also a fantastic museum, and napoleonic era fortress, to visit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastbourne_Redoubt

http://www.eastbournemuseums.co.uk

If you are in the area, Newhaven fort is a short drive and also well worth a visit.

http://www.newhavenfort.org.uk

Further away there's also Dover castle, including an underground hospital and the bunkers where the Dunkirk evacuation was planned and commanded.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/v.../things-to-do/

[Tim Bell]

Canadian HQ was at Sheffield Park... not that far away.

I have photos of the Canadians at Sheffield Park, Brighton and other places along that coast... no idea if any are Eastbourne though.

Tim

[Lauren Child]

The local paper (the Herald) has this more modern story:
http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/ne...-war-1-5821503

This indicates a date of August 11 1942 at 1am and either the newspaper may be able to look in the archives, or you may be able to find a copy of the original report in Eastbourne library.

[Phil Bristow]

Thank you for all your help. Last week, was amazing. I received a number of helpful replies from The Historical Society and especially from Nat Gonella and Michael Ockenden, who wrote, "Canucks by the Sea". We will have a rich and meaningful visit to Eastbourne on September 19, including a possible interview with The Herald and the Historical Society.

[Lauren Child]

From the same raid, in the book "Front Line Eastbourne". No mention of the Canadians, though civillian casualties in the same raid were Mrs. M. Taylor, Mrs W. E. Walker and Miss S. Boucher.

There's a photo of the burnt out St. Anne's church hit in the same raid with incendiaries, but alas I can't seem to upload it.

[Phil Bristow]

Thanks Lauren,
Another book for me to check out. The Eastbournians (?) kept excellent records even during such painful times, as their city and friends were under attack.

Please let me know if you come across the names of the Canadian casualties that night. Dad had typed them on a small square of paper surrounded by photos and other war memorabilia that were framed over his desk for many years. Every Remembrance Day he added another poppy until the frame was just about encircled. Unfortunately, the paper is lost.