Category: World War

Life & Times of Reg Weeks

“The life and Times of Reg Weeks”, who lived in Rope Walk and died on 1 March 1993 were compiled by his daughter Daphne Lewellyn of Sidmouth, Devon, from her memories of all the things he told her about his early life in Rye.

Reg Weeks was born at 2 Bridge Place, Rye, Sussex on the 1st February, 1907. His parents were married in the Registry Office on 30th November, 1901 and their first child, Elsie was born a month later. Alice was relieved that Reg was born healthy, her previous baby had been stillborn and her first child. Elsie, was now five years old. She would soon begin to take in washing again to supplement her husband Charles’ earnings as a bricklayer. Continue reading Life & Times of Reg Weeks

The Life and Times of Reg Weeks

Reg Weeks was born at 2 Bridge Place, Rye, Sussex on the 1st February, 1907. His parents were married in the Registry Office on 30th November, 1901 and their first child, Elsie was born a month later. Alice was relieved that Reg was born healthy, her previous baby had been stillborn and her first child. Elsie, was now five years old. She would soon begin to take in washing again to supplement her husband Charles’ earnings as a bricklayer. Continue reading The Life and Times of Reg Weeks

After The War Was Over

 

The end of World War Two resulted in a much changed Rye. The troops were slowly drifting home and the great spirit of unity that had encompassed all society in this country continued on. Great class barriers had been bridged and women, who had all played their part in the tumultuous conflict, had gained a near equality in the new order of things. Continue reading After The War Was Over

Lowther’s Lambs

Ron Caister sent in this photograph and details of men from Rye Harbour who were part of Lowther’s Lambs

A section of young men including Bert Caister, Alf Igglesden and Bill (Chippy) Milgate and others from the area prior to setting off to France in 1914. They were part of a group in the Sussex Regiment known as ‘Lowther’s Lambs’. Continue reading Lowther’s Lambs

Trawler Margaret Blows Up – Six Killed

 

Six Brave Rye Fshermen Killed in Wartime Tragedy

There was only one survivor when the Rye Trawler ‘Margaret’ was blown to pieces by an enemy mine as they fished in the bay they knew so well. Continue reading Trawler Margaret Blows Up – Six Killed

The Sinking of the Emden

Many readers will remember Rye Fisherman, Harry Riddle. He died four years ago.

The following letter written by Harry in the First war was brought in to us by his niece, it describes in remarkable detail the action of H.M.A.S. Sydney against the German Surface Raider the ‘Emden’ and gives some indication of the carnage such an action caused among the crews. Continue reading The Sinking of the Emden

South Saxon

Life as it was lived 50 years ago in a small village near Rye as seen by R. D. Symons of Silton, Sasks., Canada

I grew up in hearing of the slow, country speech of the people of Sussex.

Only occasionally have I heard it over the past fifty and more years, for most of the English immigrants to the prairies come from the industrial areas of the Midlands and North of England. Continue reading South Saxon