Memorial stone to honour Hastings soldier

Hastings-born Claude Nunney was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest decoration for valour from the British Army, for his actions in battle on September 1 and 2, 1918.

On Sunday, September 2, in a ceremony organised by East Sussex County Council in partnership with Hastings Borough Council, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex will unveil a Victoria Cross paving stone at the War Memorial in Alexandra Park.

The event, which marks 100 years since the soldier was wounded, is part of a series of commemorations of VC holders from East Sussex held to mark the centenary of the conflict.

Councillor Keith Glazier, leader of East Sussex County Council, said: “Claude Nunney is one of only four soldiers from East Sussex, of the many that fought and lost their lives, to have received the Victoria Cross during the First World War.

“He showed great bravery in inspiring his comrades to victory despite coming under heavy fire in a battle that ultimately claimed his life.”

Claude Nunney was born on July 19, 1892, and lived at 42 Bexhill Road as a child.

After his mother died, he and his siblings were passed into the care of the Catholic Church and eventually became “Home Children” in Canada.

He became one of the very first to enlist into the newly authorised regiment in Ottawa, known as the 38th Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and was recognised several times 
for his bravery, earning 
both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal in 1917.

But it was for his part in the attack on the heavily fortified German defensive trench systems, known as the Drocourt-Quéant Line at Dury, on September 1 and 2, 2018 that earned him the Victoria Cross.

During the attack Private Nunney encouraged his comrades to victory under heavy enemy fire.

He was wounded in the face and neck and eventually died of his wounds on September 18, 1918.

The memorial VC paving stone in Alexandra Park will be unveiled at a ceremony which will include the reading of In Flanders Fields by Claude’s great-grand nephew Tim Nunney.