A Message from Heather Sinden our Chairman
As many of you know the history of Hooe has been researched and recorded by John James Newport and published in the book “Records of Hooe”. These are for sale from St Oswald’s Church and at our meetings, in addition his grandson John Newport has a very interesting website. Very little of the late 19th and 20th century has been recorded and I, along with Anne Bourner, Pam and Rev'd Peter Doodes and Peter Hayward, felt now was the time to make a start, before it was too late. Along with “A Moment in Time” we hope to collect photographs, of people and events which have taken place in Hooe. Newspaper cuttings of events that have taken place in the village, people’s memories, and stories of Hooe and its inhabitants, will also be most welcome for our archives. If you have any thing that you feel would be interesting about Hooe please share it with us, we have made a good start but I am sure we are only beginning to scratch the surface!- Website designed and maintained by Rev'd Peter Doodes
For Ninfield and Hooe, there may be one further death to commemorate, but that is a German airman who died when his Bf109 fighter was shot down and crashed into the grounds of Court Lodge Farm in Hooe at approximately 16:10 on 29 August 1940. Bf109E-1 Werke Nummer 1134
KIPPER, JOST. Oberleutnant. 4/JG3. Date of Death: 29/08/1940. German Air Force.
Grave Reference: Plot 4 Row 12 Grave 168, Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery.
Kipper, Jost. Oberleutnant. Born 12/28/1915 in Giessen. Victories: 1. Staffelführer of 4/JG-3. Bf 109E-1 Werk # 1134 (lost). Fighter Operational Clasp. KIA 29 August, 1940, after being shot down during the Battle of Britain, over Hooe, Sussex in his Bf 109. Buried Cannock Chase, Block 4, Row 12, Gr 168 (M. Croft).
Initially buried in Bexhill Cemetery and then re-interred in Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery in the 1960’s in Plot 4, Row 12, Grave 168. Believed that he was shot down by a Hurricane flown by Squadron Leader Peter W Townsend of 85 Sqn.
The first enemy aircraft to crash on English soil during the Second World War fell victim to fighters from RAF Acklington on 3 February 1940 when three Hurricanes of ‘B’ flight, No. 43 Squadron, shot down a Luftwaffe Heinkel 111 of 4./KG 26 near Whitby. The pilots were Flight Lieutenant Townsend, Flying Officer “Tiger” Folkes and Sergeant James Hallowes. Townsend was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in April 1940. Two more He 111s were claimed by Townsend, on 22 February and 8 April, and a sixth share on 22 April.
Group Captain Peter Woolridge Townsend CVO, DSO, DFC & Bar (22 November 1914 – 19 June 1995) is best known for his romance with Princess Margaret.
So, there’s more to that photo than might be imagined!
Regards, Kevin Regan, Ninfield