Canadians in Eastbourne during WW2 …

[Michael Ockenden]

The posting about our forthcoming book, ‘Canucks by the Sea – The Canadian Army in Eastbourne during the Second World War’ has produced from Canada a number of photographs of soldiers in wartime Eastbourne. Even though these are too late to be included before publication on 7 November, there may be a second edition in due course.

Such pictures of soldiers and local scenes are of great local interest, and the Society would very much like to have copies of any others which may be languishing in albums in Canada. They would make a valuable addition to our collection of photographs and documents.

We have not been able to identify all the units that passed through the town. However, in no particular order, here is a list of those referred to in the book … some at length, others more briefly:-

2 Anti Tank Bde, 4 Arm Div Sigs, Calgaries, Chaudières, Edmontons, Essex Scottish, Hastings & PER, Irish Regt, PPCLI, QOR, Maisonneuves, North Shore NB Regt, Perths, Queens Own Camerons, Royal Canadian Regt, Royal Highland Regt (Black Watch of Canada), Royal Montreal Regt, Royal Regt of Canada, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Saskatoon LI, Seaforths, Toronto Scottish, Westminster Regt, 2 Fd Regt RCA, 4 Fd Regt RCA, 5 Fd Regt RCA, 8 Fd Regt RCA, 19 Fd Regt RCA, 23 Fd Regt RCA, Beachy Head & Michel Dene Artillery Ranges RCA, No 1 Cdn School of Artillery (O’seas) RCA, 1 LAA Regt RCA, 2 LAA Regt RCA, 6 LAA Regt RCA, 11 LAA Regt RCA, 9 Fd Amb RCAMC, 3 Fd Coy RCE, 7 Fd Coy RCE, Special Wireless Units RCCS, Concert Parties: Bandoliers, Forage Caps, Kit Bags, Tin Hats.

Information and photographs greatly appreciated.

Michael Ockenden
Eastbourne Local History Society