Sealed port was main supplier to Western Front

Scratching about at Bishopstone, unearthing things from the First World War, between Tidemills and the harbour '“ once everyday happenings not so long ago '“ now are suddenly history, so I imagine it will always be.

This picture is a fine air view, north west to south east across Newhaven, taken during the First World War.

Yes, we had sea planes at the Naval Air Station between us and Tidemills and this set of photos had been loaned to me by an ex-resident of Tidemills who had in turn borrowed them from a person who had emigrated to the Channel Islands, so they are well travelled.

I think so much local involvement excludes the possibility that they could have been taken by that airship based at Polegate.

So here is Newhaven at what has perhaps been the busiest time of its life.

Low tide of course (when it looks least attractive); bottom left the mud of the old river where it joins the new cut, or as we say today, the North Quay.

The freighter there would have been one of many reaching up to the top of the wharf. Our little port was now suddenly very important.

Ours was a sealed port, we were the main harbour supplying the Western Front.

North, Railway and East Quays were continually filled with these craft of varying sizes, loading with the vast quantity of urgent supplies to the battle area.

It so happens that this view includes the area of the Marine Workshops and even the grid-iron, which would be kept clear for repairs and not involved with cargos, so it is not offered as an example as to how the busy harbour could look.

No, the interest is in the buildings on the far side of Railway Road. These are new buildings for military use, stores, machinery and no doubt a little bit of transit accommodation. But here that was not of major concern, supplies were the order of the day.

By 1918 that dreadful war had ceased and in 1921 a certain Felix Macauley was looking around to find a place with suitable accommodation to launch a fountain pen factory.

As the photo illustrates, he must have had quite a good choice and so it all came to pass.

By 1930 there was a depression and Felix was relieved to part with his little empire to Harben Valentine. With him came expansion until final purchase by Parker Pen in 1945.

Survivors of the last two employers are still quite numerous in Newhaven and anyone seeking more information and pictures should contact Malcolm Troak on 01273 584009 and seek the wonderful little book he has written on the subject.

One last little anecdote on the 1914-18 supply ships at Newhaven.

A dark night, the tug would be needed to guide a freighter through the narrow opening of the swing bridge.

During the manoeuvering a dull thud on the deck. Job over, mooring up, some light '“ a complete side of bacon (naughty).

There had been a change of duties between the two skippers of the time. How could Capt 'Dodgy' ask Capt 'Good', a devout man of the town, if something had been dropped on the deck that dark night? After a few days of torment, Capt 'Good' relented for the sake of crewmen who had been anticipating an early Christmas for their families.