In 1951, the then County Borough of Eastbourne bestowed the Freedom of the town to The Regiment. To mark the occasion they erected a shelter on the seafront so the ex-service paraplegics who resided in Chaseley Homes opposite could come across and take in the sea view in tranquillity. Within the lower half of the shelter was a memorial plaque to mark the event.
Sadly, as with much else in this country, the shelter wasn’t maintained and is now in a dilapidated state with graffiti and a stink of urine. Hardly a mark of respect for the intended use of the shelter.
The Association’s Eastbourne Branch along with the Eastbourne and District Veterans Group and the Council’s Armed Forces Champion got together to remove , refurbish and re-locate the memorial plaque to a safer environment.
This has now been achieved thanks to the Trustees of Chaseley giving permission for it to stand on a plinth within their grounds. So the plaque has actually come home! Thanks to all those who contributed their time and effort to achieving this.
The plaque can be viewed by the public, but due to safeguarding issues at the Trust, viewing is by appointment only. Call 01323 744200 to view.
