Canadians in & around Eastbourne (Sussex) in WW2

[John McGillivray]

In late 1940 and early 1941 the Royal Montreal Regiment (M.G.) was billeted in Sutton. While there, it supplied Companies for coast defence in Eastbourne. The following is from the unit history “The Royal Montreal Regiment 1925 – 1945” by R. C. Fetherstonhaugh:

“In the final week of November, "B" Coy. left Sutton to serve for a time with the British XII Corps on the coast at Eastbourne, while the main body of the Battalion carried out a number of extensive manoeuvres. At a conference on the night of November 26, officers and non-commissioned officers discussed a manoeuvre which had tested a relief plan on the River Mole.” (p60)

“When "D" Coy. proceeded to Hastings [on Dec. 7th], "B" Coy. returned from the coast to Sutton; and when "D" Coy. came back on December 21, "C" Coy. proceeded to Eastbourne. Four days after this move, on Christmas, 1940, the 7th Corps of the British Army ceased to exist as such, and the Canadian Corps, under Lieut.-Gen. A. G. L. McNaughton came into official existence.” (p62)

“On January 4, "A" Coy. relieved "C" Coy. on coast defence duty at Eastbourne, where the company's positions were inspected by Lieut.-Col. Whitehead, Lieut. A. E. Weir, and Lieut. J. A. Roncarelli on January 6.” (p63)

The Royal Montreal Regiment (M.G.) left Sutton and moved to Brighton on January 21, 1941.