Steyning, 1944 - 'Friendly Fire'

[John]

Article from the 'Sydney Morning Herald' - May 16, 1944. I wonder if there are any more details available, who was the Home Guard chap that died? Where was he buried?

London - May 15th. - For nearly two hours yesterday shells from British artillery crashed into the Sussex market town of Steyning, near Brighton, killing two people and wounding three others. Wardens, police and members of the Home Guard tried frantically to communicate with the gunners whose shells were overshooting their target. One shell fell in the gasworks, but failed to explode. One of the killed and two of the wounded were members of the Home Guard attending a fourth birthday parade.

The shells were fired during regular army exercises on the South Downs practice range. They fell in the town and in the woods and fields surrounding it. One hit a house, two fell near the police station, and others on the cricket pitch in the centre of the town, and in a garden on the council estate.

Artillery officers later inspected the damage, and instituted a military inquiry.

[sussexPillbox]

Nothing in any documents I have, but it seems that the Home Guard fatality was one Private Wylie: http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2723706

Pete

[John]

Thank you. A visit to Nuthurst on the cards soon methinks 

[Pete]

There was a plaque on the house in Chuch St. Just google earthed it and can't see it. I thought it was Canadian tank fire but may be wrong. I was told about it when we lived in Steyning, a neighbour and her mother had run a canteen for troops in Steyning. We lived there 1987-2001

[John]

Thanks for the info guys. If anyone manages to get a shot of the plaque, the grave or anything else concerning the incident then please post it!

[Pete]

Bit of brain failure, the plaque is next door a nd reads "This is Sir..........house 1774"  The destroyed houses are sympathetically rebuilt at no 11, Stood out when I lived there 20 yrs back but now weathered in nicely