Illustrated talk about wartime in town

Worthing at War is the topic of an illustrated talk by local historian and aviation enthusiast Tony Gardiner in the next of Marlipins Museum’s winter series of lunchtime talks in Shoreham.

How did the town and its people cope during the darkest days of the Second World War?

A multitude of large concrete anti-tank blocks were spread along the shoreline.

Barbed wire was spread across the beach and landmines were laid under parts of the shingle to hamper the progress of a possible German invasion.

A hole was also blown through Worthing Pier to prevent it being used as a landing stage in such an event.

Pill boxes, anti-aircraft guns, searchlight batteries and radar stations appeared.

Troops, including members of the First Canadian Army and Royal Marines, were stationed in the town and, in February 1944, the British Army’s 4th Armoured Brigade set up headquarters in the Eardley Hotel by Splash Point.

How many people still remember that, in November 1941, many houses in Haynes Road were destroyed by bombs?

When the authorities realised that the German daylight ‘hit and run’ raiders, based in France, were using the Worthing Corporation Electricity chimney in Little High Street as a landmark, its height was reduced by some 70ft.

The talk will take place on Friday (March 11) at 12.15pm in the upstairs gallery of the Marlipins Museum – entrance in Middle Street, Shoreham.

The entrance fee for members of the Friends of Marlipins Museum is £2, and £3 for non-members.

---

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.