In February
1919 a German machine-gun was sent to East Grinstead in recognition
of the town's success in raising War Loans on behalf of the British
government. At a meeting of the East Grinstead Urban Council, Joseph
Rice and Alfred Burt complained that the town deserved something
that could be placed on public exhibition in the High Street. The
machine-gun was sent back but the War Office said it was unable to
obtain anything better.
The campaign to obtain a more significant war trophy continued for
the next six months. Eventually, in November, 1919, Lord Leconfield
wrote to the East Grinstead Urban Council with the news that the War
Office had agreed to present the town with a captured German 77mm
Field Gun.
When the gun arrived on 19th April, 1920, it was placed in the High
Street. However, some local men who had served in the army during
the war, objected to a German gun being on display in the town. On
the 24th April, a group of men took the gun and pushed it into the
pond at Dunnings Mill. The gun remained in the pond until August 1920
when the council gave permission to the owner of Dunnings Mill, Arthur
Musgrave, to dispose of it.
The German gun in Dunnings
Mill Pond in April, 1920.
(1)
East Grinstead Urban Council minutes (3rd February, 1919)
A
small German machine-gun has been sent to the town as a souvenir and
in recognition of its highly successful efforts on behalf of the War
Loans. It was proposed by Mr. Rice and seconded by Mr. Burt that the
gun be returned and the opinion expressed that the town desired something
that could be placed on public exhibition in the street. The proposal
was carried unanimously.
(2)
East Grinstead Urban Council minutes (19th April, 1920)
The
Surveyor reported a captured German field gun had been presented to
the town and asked for instructions as to where it had to be placed.
It was resolved that it be left to the Roads and Bridges Committee
to find a suitable temporary position for the gun.
(3)
East Grinstead Urban
Council minutes (26th April, 1920)
The Surveyor reported that the captured German gun which had been
placed in the High Street was removed on the 24th April by some persons
unknown and thrown into the stream at Dunnings Mill, and that the
fence alongside the stream had been damaged. The Roads and Bridges
Committee recommended that the Surveyor communicate to the Police
with a view to obtaining the names of some of the persons concerned
so that they may be prosecuted.
Last
updated: 20th August 2002
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