Compelling Photography - Landscapes, Seascapes and other photos

July 13, 2018July 13, 2018

In the Pink

West Marina Gardens was a place where soldiers billeted in the town came to do their exercises. Today the area is still used for the same purpose, although the participants are not training for war. In this now and then image a group of soldiers are pictured doing just that.

The caption accompanying the photograph in the newspaper said ‘By the various exercises included in the physical drill course adopted in the service every muscle of the body is trained and strengthened. Each movement has its particular value, and when the course is completed every member of the squad is absolutely fit.’

The photo is taken at West Marina Gardens, St Leonards-on-Sea and the original image came from the Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser dated 11^th October 1917.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

This image is part of a continuing series of Then and Now images I’ve created for East Sussex Council’s World War 1 commemoration website. The website is focused on the contribution that the men and women of East Sussex made towards the war effort. West Marina Gardens

West Marina Gardens

June 25, 2018

Royal Flying Corps

A group of Royal Flying Corps Cadets at Bathing parade. Hastings and St Leonards billeted many service men for training during WW1. This interesting 10 minute BBC documentary provides an insight into the town during those days.

The original was taken at White Rock Gardens, Hastings and published in the Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser on 6^th September 1917.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

January 12, 2018

All Saints Memorial Plaque

Published in November 1917 in the Hastings and St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser, the caption with the original photo read ‘The parents of the late Lance Sergeant R F Canning commemorated the anniversary of his death in France by hanging a beautiful wreath to the roll of honour in All Saint’s Street on the 14^th November.’

A photograph and further information about Walter Robert Frank Canning can be seen here.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

Memorial Plaque All Saints Street

All Saints Street

December 22, 2017

Ancient and Modern

The original photo used for this Then and Now image of Ancient and Modern was taken from the Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser dated 11^th October 1917. It was captioned; ‘Visitors who are averse to using petrol for their journeys to local beauty spots are carefully catered for. A well-equipped four horse drag and a luxurious motor coach, propelled with up-to-date fuel-gas are seen standing side by side.’

Gas powered vehicles developed as a response to the petrol shortage during the First World War. These collapsible gas bags were installed on a variety of motor vehicles. As gas compression techniques were still being developed, the solution was to install large gas bags onto vehicles. Functionally this worked well, though smoking near to the vehicles was not advised, and travelling above 30 mph could cause damage to the bag. More information about these vehicles can be read here.

The photo was taken on Grand Parade, Hastings. I should have got a modern bus in the image, but one didn’t appear in the time it took to take the photo.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

Ancient and Modern Queens Parade

December 8, 2017

Boy Scouts Deliver Coal

During the winter months the 2^nd Hastings (Calvert) Troop of Scouts have devoted their Saturday afternoons to delivering coal to old age pensioners and others. This work has been much appreciated by the old people, particularly during the severe weather.

The photo was taken in St Georges Road, Hastings and published in the Hastings and St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser in April 1917.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

St Georges Road

July 14, 2017July 14, 2017

Hastings Pier Fire 1917

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the fire on Hastings Pier in 1917, I was asked to create some now and then images by the team working on the East Sussex WW1 website. Unlike the 2012 fire which took place at night, the one in 1917 happened during the afternoon and was witnessed by many hundreds of people.

Very much like the 2012 fire though, this fire provided the opportunity for the owners to redevelop and modernise the pier. Far from being a disaster, it probably helped to ensure that the structure was repaired and strengthened, ensuring its lasting presence on the seafront.

A more detailed and interesting article about the fire can be read here.

February 3, 2017

Seaforth Highlanders in Alexandra Park

The photographs that make up this Then and Now image were taken at the Bandstand, Alexandra Park, Hastings. The original photograph appeared in the Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser on 17^th May 1917. The article accompanying the photograph reads:

‘This splendid band of the 17^th Seaforth Highlanders of Canada is composed of skilled musicians drawn from all parts of the Dominion. Prior to the outbreak of war they were all engaged in civilian occupations, embracing all callings, but did not hesitate to join up without personal consideration. Many of them were engaged with orchestras when in Canada but the band was not formed until they arrived in this country. Most of it’s members are all qualified as soloists and the Bandmaster, Mr A Williams WO, has gained many awards as a trombone player. When at Brighton recently they created a record for the season at their entertainments and Brighton is hoping to get them to repeat their visit at an early date. Although a heavy call from time to time is made upon their numbers from other branches of the service, it apparently has little effect on their efficiency, and the 28 members have in their short stay in this town earned great popularity. It is computed that another 1,000 chairs would have been occupied in the Park on Sunday if they had been available, but it seems that the attractiveness of this band of skilled musicians was not fully appreciated.’

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

Seaforth Highlanders

December 21, 2016

Canadian Presentation (Part 2)

Following on from the last post, Canadian Presentation 2 shows the winners of two Distinguished Conduct Medals and six Military Medals with BSM Brett, possibly Henry Charles Brett, on the extreme left. These soldiers served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

Canadian Medal Presentation

Warrior Square

December 2, 2016

Canadian Presentation (Part 1)

This then and now image shows Canadian soldiers during a medal presentation in Warrior Square, St Leonards. The original photograph was published in the Hastings and St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser on 3rd May 1917. The notes accompanying the photograph say:

‘On Sunday morning, two DCMs and six Military Medals were presented to Canadian soldiers by Sir Robert Borden, Canadian Prime Minister, who was accompanied by Major-General Turner VC, DSO’. The photograph shows Sir Robert Borden with Colonel Matthews to his left.

Part 2 will follow next week.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

Warrior Square

November 25, 2016

A Rush for Potatoes

Whilst the availability of food during WW1 was never as high as during peacetime, the ramping up of German submarine activity in 1917 started to make a real impact. Shipping losses in April 1917 reached 500,000 tonnes, most of which were food and other supplies coming to Britain. We coped pretty well however and even achieved a record wheat harvest in 1917. Potatoes though were one of the food items in very short supply. Deliveries of spuds back then created considerable excitement.

From the Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser: “The Announcement “Potatoes at 11 O’Clock” made by Mr Pollard, Courthouse Street, Hastings, on Saturday Morning, caused some hundreds of buyers to assemble. At 10 O’Clock the shop was besieged by an eager crowd, only to learn that the delivery had not been made. A great shout went up when the trolley bearing the much sought after vegetable made its appearance. It was, however, a good natured crowd and the police officers regulating the crowd had little difficulty. No one was served with more than two pounds, and the purchasers, young and old alike, had to be satisfied with this amount. Mr Pollard’s aim was to see that the poor were supplied rather than the fried fish shops and restaurants at a larger price.”

The photo is of the junction of Courthouse Street and The Bourne, Hastings Old Town. The Original Image is from Hastings & St Leonards Pictorial Advertiser on 26^th April 1917.

The two photographs used to create the image, and the final combined image are below. You can view the top image full size on my Flickr page by clicking on it.

Courthouse Street