A LONG-AWAITED memorial to commemorate victims of the Pontin’s holiday camp bombing in Selsey has been erected on the beach.
After 18 months of research and technical difficulties, the memorial has been built on the shingle at the end of Lifeboat Way.
On August 18, 1940, an enemy raider dropped a bomb on what was Pontin’s Broadreeds Camp. At that time it was used as a refuge for London evacuees. Three civilians were killed, including a 13-year-old evacuee, and also a gunner from the Royal Regiment of Artillery. They were General William Harding, 21, Thomas Martin, 13, Winifred Twist, 41 and Jean Whytelaw, 40.
Vice chairman of the Selsey Royal British Legion Bill Cane said: “We felt this tragedy should be recorded in some way on the peninsula – we have received some generous donations to pay for it and we will be laying a wreath in the summer. I would like to thank Gill Jennings at the town council for her assistance.”
Selsey Town Council and the Royal British Legion thanked Persimmon Homes who own the site, those who had given donations and Selsey Fireworks, Selsey Society, Nature’s Way Foods, Lee Hobson Funeral Services and local builder Peter Glue.