Sussex Station Commemorates Railwayman Killed in WW2 German Air Strike

A forgotten wartime tragedy that claimed the life of a Sussex train driver has been brought back into the light, 85 years after the shocking attack. On 3 July 2025, a memorial plaque was unveiled at Bishopstone station to commemorate Charles Henry Pattenden – the first train driver killed in action on British soil during […]

A forgotten wartime tragedy that claimed the life of a Sussex train driver has been brought back into the light, 85 years after the shocking attack.

On 3 July 2025, a memorial plaque was unveiled at Bishopstone station to commemorate Charles Henry Pattenden – the first train driver killed in action on British soil during the Second World War.

Mr Pattenden, 59, was driving the 17:37 service from Seaford on July 3, 1940, when a German Dornier aircraft strafed the train with machine gun fire near Bishopstone Beach Halt. A burst of bullets shattered the carriages and caused blast damage, fatally injuring Charles Pattenden. Despite not being hit directly by the bombs dropped during the raid, the impact of the attack was devastating.

The plaque, unveiled in the station’s restored 1930s art-deco booking hall, was commissioned by the Friends of Bishopstone Station (FOBS) and revealed by Charles’ descendants, including his grandson Ivor Pattenden. The emotional ceremony brought together generations of his family and local residents who had helped piece together the tragic story.

Graham Moore, a FOBS director, began investigating the incident in January this year and was stunned when Ivor Pattenden responded to an online appeal. Together with Barbara Mine, chair of FOBS, the team compiled detailed research and produced a commemorative booklet, The Five Thirty-Seven, outlining the full events of that fateful evening.

Barbara said:

“We were really amazed to see Ivor turn up to one of our Meet-Up Mondays. His arrival helped us uncover so much of this story that had been lost over time. I’m so proud of the work Graham and the community have done.”

The research reveals that the 17:37 steam service had only just departed Bishopstone when it was attacked. The train crew – driver Charles Pattenden, fireman Frank Cox, and guard Edward Batchelor – along with a small number of passengers, came under fire as the train passed the exposed Tide Mills stretch of track. Although the fireman escaped uninjured, both Pattenden and Batchelor suffered serious wounds, with Charles dying shortly afterwards.

Passengers on board included young children – Celia and Ronald Terrill – who were crouched on the floor of the carriages with their mother as bullets flew through the train. Ronald, aged one at the time, later became a railwayman himself in Newhaven and is still alive today.

Charles Pattenden was buried in The Borough Cemetery, Tunbridge Wells.

His grandson, Ivor, said:

“It was a great success, and a few tears were shed. This has helped fill some important gaps in our family history. I’d like to thank the Friends of Bishopstone Station for their incredible research.”

Rob Whitehead, Southern’s community engagement manager, praised the tribute and the significance of remembering railway heritage:

“Especially as we celebrate 200 years of the railway, it’s important to reflect on the sacrifice made by people like Charles. We’re proud to support groups like FOBS who keep this history alive.”

The plaque is now a permanent feature of Bishopstone Station’s beautifully restored booking hall, which along with the original toilets and parcel office, has been brought back to life as a hub for the community and a place of remembrance.