After the evacuation of Dunkirk, there was a period of intense activity to prepare defences against an immanently expected invasion of South East England. The Germans were massed on the French coast after their lightening victories in France and the Low Countries. Now Britain was firmly in their sights. It would only be a matter … Continue reading Nazi Invasion Between Hastings and Hythe
Tag: Home Guard
Discover Home Guard in the pages of Rye’s Own, where the subject emerges through local voices, historical detail and stories written close to the events. Among the pieces gathered here are “Dads Army at Pett.”, “Bombed by Both Sides”, “Adventures in Rye July 2001”, and “250 Years Of Rye Cricket”, each adding its own detail to the story. Read together, the articles show how public events and private memories become part of the town’s shared story.
1940’s Weekend at RHDR
“Clover Sisters” are Big Hit at 1940’s Weekend Passengers arriving at New Romney Station on 14 & 15 May were transported back to the 1940’s. There was an American services party going on with war period dancing and singing performed by the USO Lindy Hoppers and the amazing Clover Sisters. Platform One was being used as a dance … Continue reading 1940’s Weekend at RHDR
Bombed by Both Sides
by Graham Watson. From the November 2010 issue of Rye’s Own I was born in Rye East Sussex, in May 1936, and lived at Godfrey’s Row which was a terrace of five houses situated opposite the Pipemaker’s Arms Public House, in Winchelsea Road. In 1940 the first kits of the Anderson shelter, the outdoor type, which … Continue reading Bombed by Both Sides
The Very Heart of Rye
First Published in the November 2003 Issue of “Rye’s Own” The old Lion Street School, now the home of the Rye Library and Further Education Centre, has a question mark hanging over it’s future existence.There are proposals for the Library to be re-sited in a new building on the old Central Garage site, there are … Continue reading The Very Heart of Rye
250 Years Of Rye Cricket
By M. C. G. Thomas Part Two 1901 Players included F. Phillips, W Clarke, R Bloomfield, A. Adams, R Burra, L Ashburnham & C. Longley 1902 Cricket Week v T. Oyler’s XI, Charlton Park, New Romney, & Lydd Camp…F. Phillips 113 * v T. Oyler’s XI (F. Phillips was killed in the 1st World War)
The War Years & Beyond
The late John Smith’s account of his time as Rye Town Clerk. Reprinted from “Rye Memories” with thanks to Jo’ Kirkham. The War Years and Beyond I started work in the Rates Office, then at 107 High Street (now the Easton Rooms) in 1936. Mr. Cyril Powell, Rating and Valuation Officer was my boss and … Continue reading The War Years & Beyond
Dads Army at Pett.
HOME GUARDS KEEP WATCH ON A NAZI DIVE BOMBER This remarkable picture turned up at Rye Auction Galleries. It shows a Home Guard contingent (possibly from Rye) who were first on the scene when a Stuka Dive Bomber made a forced landing in a field near Pett on August 31st. 1940.
Adventures in Rye July 2001
Winnie Hollands died on Sunday 10 June 2001. A very brave lady, she prepared two last ‘Adventures’ knowing that the sands of time were running away. They were completed just four days before she was taken from us. Adventures in Rye By Winnie Hollands Lying here in Richard’s house at St. Mary’s Bay in a … Continue reading Adventures in Rye July 2001
Down Rye Way
The Rebel Farmer – And One of the Most Interesting Men I ever Met By Jim Hollands Farmer Jack Merricks of Icklesham. often called the Rebel farmer. is surely one of the best known of local personalities. His clashes with various Government
Ernest Hatter
40 years with East Kent Born in Cinque Ports Square, Rye in 1900, Ernest Hatter, one of a family of nine children, was educated at Mermaid Street School. The cottage where he spent his childhood was one of many situated behind where the