The Sompting Camps

The First World War Camp(s)

Precise evidence about this camp is limited but it is thought to have been a unit for German Prisoners of War, who were required to work in the area.

It was situated in the old quarry, now the light industrial estate at Millfield, off Busticle Lane.

The following link leads to a primary source at WSCC Library Service:

http://www2.westsussex.gov.uk/learning-resources/LR/learning/learning_resources/great_war_west_sussex_1914-18/home_front_topics

/enemy_aliens_and_refugees.html

Further information can be obtained from an excellent posting on Facebook ~ Lancing History ~ owned by Lin Wake:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/326170564148675/search/?query=prison%20camp

The Second World War Camp(s)

Location

Field 174 is the site of Upper Trudgeons and Field 213 the site of Lower Trudgeons according to the Tithe map.

The late Bill Knibbs in a conversation with the Writer told her that ‘Trudgeons’ was the site of an enemy POW

camp in the Second World War. It is believed the camp was more likely to be in Field 213 than near West Street.

Research is ongoing but official sources are somewhat lacking.

The occupied area stretched south to the Railway Line.

The Camp for French Refugees D-DAY 1944

On the 15th May 1944 Colonel VTR Ford DSO was instructed to form a camp at Sompting Sussex to receive 2000 refugees daily up to a capacity

of 7000.

There were meetings and conferences and various officers arrived on the 23^rd May, together with Junior Commander Baker of the ATS, Inspector Pike of the

Police Force and 27 OR ATS.

The next day a further 7 ATS Officers reported for duty and the main body of ATS arrived comprising 3 WOs, 85 NCOs and 130 ORs.

The southern end of the camp was bounded by the railway line and was hit by 1 high explosive bomb on the 28 May 1944 at 23.5. Four ATS girls, including

Joyce Baker, were killed and others injured.

While waiting for French refugees, who never came, the ATS provided a total of 7,077½ hours agricultural assistance over a period of 12 days to growers in

the vicinity. Digging more than 201 tons of potatoes, picking 7 tons of peas and 98 baskets of currants. They also spent 125 hours tying up tomato plants.

By September 1944 the camp had been closed.

The Reception Camps for Repatriated Prisoners of War

Between the 10 May 1945 and 21^st June a total of 15 Officers and 6,170 other ranks passed through the three Sompting Camps, which

were reported to be the biggest repatriation centre in England.

The men received a thorough medical examination, all saw a dental officer and were subsequently x-rayed by up to date mobile equipment installed at Camp

114.

Instructions for the disbandment of 113 Reception Camp were received from the War Office effective from 25^th June and to be completed by 23.59 hrs

16 July 1945.

There is a brief Minute concerning Camp 114 to the effect that on the 25 August 1945 it was handed over to the Ministry of Works to become a P.W. camp

for German Prisoners but nothing further is recorded. However, if that happened the existing buildings/tents etc were possibly turned into the camp that the

late Bill Knibbs refers to above as being on Trudgeons.

It is assumed Camp 115 closed down at the same time as Camp 113 but no further information appears to be available.

© Eileen Colwell and L & S Pastfinders