St Saviour’s during WWI and WWII
The Great War 1914-1918
August 2014 saw the anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War. St Saviour’s has a fine 1920 Calvary war memorial erected by the Parish in the churchyard. There is no accessible record of the names inscribed and many of the inscriptions have suffered erosion from nearly a century of the South Street weather. The War deaths recorded of naval and military personnel of all ranks, extend from the earliest days of the War until after the 11th November 1918 Armistice. Details of all are still being gathered so that informed remembrance may be given.
The Second World War 1939-1945
The raid on Eastbourne by Luftwaffe FW 190 fighter bombers on Saturday 3rd April 1943 was the most serious for loss of life in the town during the Second World War. This ‘tip and run’ incident included a direct hit on the surface air raid shelter in Spencer Road a few paces from the Saint Saviour’s Great War memorial. The 12 occupants were killed including 2 members of Saint Saviour’s congregation. Several Saint Saviour’s people died in other local raids. An Air Raid in 1940 also spelt the end of the church’s fine organ. When a new organ was installed and the console was re-located.
​
​
