Second World War mortuary records, St Michael's, Eastbourne

The Air Raid Precautions Committee of Eastbourne Corporation reported on 16 March 1939 that there was existing mortuary accommodation for 39 adults and 2 children: Old Borough Mortuary (if in existence) 9; new mortuary, 12; Princess Alice Hospital, 4 adults and 2 children; St Mary's Hospital, 10; Leaf Hospital, 4. It was therefore necessary to identify additional mortuary accommodation in the event of war

The Cemetery Superintendent reported to the committee on 11 May 1939 that the local undertakers were prepared to assist as far as possible, but their premises mainly consisted of chapels providing accommodation for around 50 bodies only. He had therefore made preliminary enquiries among local clergy as to the possibility of using various church halls. It seems likely that the hall of St Michael and All Angels, Long Acre Close, was later used as a mortuary as a result of this initiative; its close proximity to Ocklynge Cemetery would have been a reason for its selection

Between the period 3 July 1940 and 28 May 1944 there were 174 fatalities and 820 injuries in the County Borough of Eastbourne. Deaths recorded in AMS6557/1 resulted from the following incidents

18 Dec 1942 at 11.45 4 high explosive bombs killed 18 and injured 36

7 Feb 1943 at 14.50 4 high explosive bombs killed 15 and injured 55

7 Mar 1943 at 12.52 18 high explosive bombs and a machine gun attack killed 14 and injured 65

3 Apr 1943 at 11.46 12 high explosive bombs and a machine gun attack killed 35 and injured 100

6 Jun 1943 at 13.35 13 high explosive bombs killed 12 and injured 52

<p>Most of Eastbourne civil defence material is thought to have been destroyed. For minutes of the County Borough of Eastbourne war-time committees, including the Air Raid Precautions Committee, see DE/A34/1-5. For records of the Wartime Sussex Police Force, see SPA/1; for summaries and statistics of air raid incidents, which includes information for county boroughs in East Sussex, see SPA 2/21/42</p>

Donated 7 Apr 2000 (ACC 8110)