The Second World War brought drastic changes to the town. At first, many children from London were sent into Eastbourne to escape the bombing, but when France fell in 1940 the threat of invasion caused these children to be moved to Wales and the Midlands, and many Eastbourne children and their mothers went with them. Bombing began, the seafront was closed and the beaches were defended with barbed wire. The pier had a section of its decking cut away to render it useless to any invading force. During 1942 and 1943 much damage was done by 'hit and run' raiders, and in 1944 the flying-bombs started. More high-explosive bombs dropped on Eastbourne than any other south coast town and the destruction was extensive. When the rocket launching sites in France were overrun the danger to Eastbourne lessened and the population began to return to damaged and neglected houses.

Bofors gun on Eastbourne Pier

Eastbourne housed several groups of soldiers, sailors and airmen for training purposes, much of which took place on the Downs. The local authority continued to operate from the Town Hall, with the Civil Defence Corps being housed next door in the Police Station.

Family Evacuating from Eastbourne

In 1945 the town had to face the immense task of reopening the hotels and rebuilding the town's tourist trade, a task which was tackled with enthusiasm and determination by the townspeople. The zeal to rebuild was led by the Council under the direction of their Town Clerk, Francis Busby, and in an unbelievably short time the town had rebuilt on its scars and further development followed. Such post-war developments by both the Borough and private enterprise have resulted in large housing estates at Old Town, Hampden Park and Langney.

Since the war other changes have occurred. Many old Victorian houses have either been demolished and blocks of flats erected in their place, or they have been converted into flats. Light industry has been encouraged at Lottbridge Drove to provide work all the year round as an alternative to the seasonal employment provided by the tourist trade. New shopping centres have been opened in Langney (1973) and Terminus Road (1981), each providing large car-parks - a reflection of the greatly increased road traffic in the town.

The bombing of Caffyn's Garage,
Seaside Road, 6th June 1943

The Technical Institute, bombed during the war, was rebuilt only as the library and council offices. In 1963 the £400,000 Congress complex was opened in the presence of Sir Arthur Bliss and Dame Flora Robson, and served to encourage the expanding conference trade that was to help fill the hotels during the winter months. Later, the swimming pool complex was built on the Crumbles to replace Wallis's century-old baths in Carlisle Road.

Wish Tower Museum

Today's modern town of more than 77,000 people owes its unique character to the two ruling families who collaborated in creating the beneficent controlling influences that brought it the reputation it still enjoys. Once again, the Cavendish family is looking ahead and a few years ago announced a multi-million pound marina development for the Crumbles area, while the Borough Council has turned its attention to the Willingdon Levels where it envisages an Eastbourne Park. Surveyors, architects and specialists are still looking forward and following the footsteps of George Ambrose Wallis and Henry Currey, and taking their traditions of forward-planning into the Eastbourne of the 21st century.