Seaford and Eastbourne in the Great War

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War I
Cover of the book Seaford and Eastbourne in the Great War by Kevin Gordon, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kevin Gordon ISBN: 9781473842205
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: September 30, 2014
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military Language: English
Author: Kevin Gordon
ISBN: 9781473842205
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: September 30, 2014
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military
Language: English

How the experience of war impacted on the town, from the initial enthusiasm for sorting out the German kaiser in time for Christmas 1914, to the gradual realization of the enormity of human sacrifice the families of Seaforth and Eastbourne were committed to as the war stretched out over the next four years. A record of the growing disillusion of the people, their tragedies and hardships and a determination to see it through. 

The Sussex seaside towns of Seaford and Eastbourne were closer to the action than most places; the sound of naval battles could be heard from the coast (and sometimes witnessed by those with a good pair of binoculars). When the wind was in the right direction the rumble of artillery from France bought the frontline into the streets. 

At the start of the Great War, Eastbourne was an elegant and blossoming resort and did its best to maintain its tourist trade despite the arrival of soldiers, aeroplanes, refugees and the wounded. Seaford was a much smaller resort with a population of under 4,000 however thousands of troops from all over the Empire were billeted in the area either at private homes or in two massive camps. The Seaford camps were the venue for training, parades, fighting, murder and even rioting. 

Nearby Newhaven became an important port in which provisions were transported to the front. Conscientious Objectors, some under threat of the death penalty worked on the docks and the nearby roads. 

In his book “Seaford and Eastbourne in the Great War” local historian, Kevin Gordon tells the story of how the conflict affected, not only these seaside towns but also of the soldiers (many of them teenagers) who answered the call to battle. It is a story of spies, schoolchildren and sacrifice; a story that, for many, ended in the cemetery at Seaford which today is one of the largest Commonwealth War Graves in the South of England.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How the experience of war impacted on the town, from the initial enthusiasm for sorting out the German kaiser in time for Christmas 1914, to the gradual realization of the enormity of human sacrifice the families of Seaforth and Eastbourne were committed to as the war stretched out over the next four years. A record of the growing disillusion of the people, their tragedies and hardships and a determination to see it through. 

The Sussex seaside towns of Seaford and Eastbourne were closer to the action than most places; the sound of naval battles could be heard from the coast (and sometimes witnessed by those with a good pair of binoculars). When the wind was in the right direction the rumble of artillery from France bought the frontline into the streets. 

At the start of the Great War, Eastbourne was an elegant and blossoming resort and did its best to maintain its tourist trade despite the arrival of soldiers, aeroplanes, refugees and the wounded. Seaford was a much smaller resort with a population of under 4,000 however thousands of troops from all over the Empire were billeted in the area either at private homes or in two massive camps. The Seaford camps were the venue for training, parades, fighting, murder and even rioting. 

Nearby Newhaven became an important port in which provisions were transported to the front. Conscientious Objectors, some under threat of the death penalty worked on the docks and the nearby roads. 

In his book “Seaford and Eastbourne in the Great War” local historian, Kevin Gordon tells the story of how the conflict affected, not only these seaside towns but also of the soldiers (many of them teenagers) who answered the call to battle. It is a story of spies, schoolchildren and sacrifice; a story that, for many, ended in the cemetery at Seaford which today is one of the largest Commonwealth War Graves in the South of England.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book Bomber Command: Kept in the Dark by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book London's Airports by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Racing Ace by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Hitler's Arctic War by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book French Warships in the Age of Sail 1786 - 1861 by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book The Roman Navy by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Yorkshire and North East of England by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book The Royal Naval Air Service During the Great War by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Beaulieu by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Anti-Submarine Warfare by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Zulu War VCs by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Aubers Ridge by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book Joseph Stalin by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book The Warship Mary Rose by Kevin Gordon
Cover of the book The Manchester Bantams by Kevin Gordon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy