Two old shipmates of mine there. Monty Waite and Lenny Andrews.
Monty was on the Londres and Lenny was on the Brighton.
Love to get in touch with them again

What a wonderful facility that was allowed to be demolished. My father Len was involved in the RNVR and subsequently the Sea Cadets in the old Drill Hall, and as a nipper I would be allowed to play inside whilst he did janitorial work or painted or something. Imagine a young boy being allowed to play on gun turrets and anti-aircraft guns. There was also the big open drill hall in which to play five a side football or badminton, or hold dances or socials, as well as storing all the sailing gear, including the boats in the rear with ready access to the river bank opposite Denton Island...and now there's a ring road and some apartments...shame.

Hello Rob. I remember Len well, and George and Brian too. At one time we lived behind your house in the Meeching Court flats.
Your family featured in the Newhaven football team in their time.

George went on to be coxwain of the lifeboat.

There used to be regular Dances at this hall during the war and I remember listening to the broadcast of King George 6th there when VE day was announced.
Afterwards I used to meet at the Drill Hall every Monday evening with the Royal Naval Auxillary Service and was very reluctantly moved on to RNR HQ at Shoreham when the building was redeveloped. Happy Days.

Actually William, my uncle George was 2nd coxswain under Edgar Moore, my father Len became Coxswain in '76, and uncle Brian spent many years in the watchhouse at the entrance to the harbour as well as featuring in the football team.