WW1 CWGC Headstones - DESTROYED (Eastbourne) Traditional Geocache
WW1 CWGC Headstones - DESTROYED (Eastbourne)
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Size: 
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This cache is a 35mm film pot placed at ground level. Sorry, the last few feet are not accessible to wheelchair cachers.
This cache draws your attention to a number of Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) gravestones that had been used to build an old hut in the grounds of the Bedfordwell Road Pumping Station, Eastbourne, BN22 8XD. Until its demolition, the hut was used as a Lawnmower Workshop.
Unfortunately, despite its historic interest, the hut has been demolished recently with, almost, no trace of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWWG) gravestones remaining.
With so many CWGC gravestones being needed during and after WW1 it is probable that the then four Eastbourne stone masons were employed to make a number of them.
Research by others has established that the main contractors for the Eastbourne headstones were Messrs J Andrews Ltd of Willingdon Road and Messrs Francis and Sons Ltd, Carrara Wharf, Junction Road. The latter is very near Bedfordwell. (Source: Liz of Eastbourne).
Likewise, C. Jones was an Eastbourne stonemason that was located a stone's throw away at Cavendish Bridge Wharf (source: Mikeo). This is even closer than Junction Road.
The gravestones that were used for the walls of this hut may have been the stonemasons' damaged or practice / demonstration engravings (source: Manchester Terrier, and Dragon).
On hearing of the removal of these gravestones, I was initially saddened at their probable loss.
My own investigations have, however, revealed that it is the policy of the CWGC to destroy any imperfectly engraved or damaged gravestones. This includes all of the gravestones that are routinely replaced today. That is why when looking around cemeteries the gravestones are usually found to be in perfect condition.
These gravestones should therefore have been destroyed almost 100 years ago, and not used by local builders to construct a hut.
Further investigations have revealed that (source: Lyndsay, Redoubt Fortress) most of the gravestones were initially taken to Eastbourne's Redoubt Fortress. The Fortress is the home of the Royal Sussex Regiment Museum so, after the CWGC was contacted, all but two gravestones (these had the Royal Sussex Regiment emblem on them, but not names of soldiers) were removed to be destroyed.
Whilst this may initially appear a great loss, the subsequently made perfect gravestones made their way to the respective cemeteries and now mark the graves of the men and women who made the Supreme Sacrifice.
If you haven't had the opportunity of visiting a CWGC Cemetery yet, you can visit the CWGC Virtual Cemetery, here (visit link)
You can find your nearest CWGC cemeteries by downloading the CWGC app.
Eastbourne:
Ocklynge Cemetery with 175 war graves; and
Langney Cemetery with 37 war graves.
Finally, whilst the gravestones from the hut may have not been the ones used to mark the final resting places of the fallen - Please Remember:
LEST WE FORGET
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur Fbyqvre (Ehcreg Oebbxr. 1887–1915). VS V fubhyq qvr, guvax bayl guvf bs zr; Gung gurer'f fbzr ?????? bs n sbervta svryq ...