Some of our branches have the most surprising history. We have already told the story many times elsewhere in the Online Archive, of the thousands of our brave staff who went to fight or took up civilian duties in World War Two. We have seen how Martins was able to bring in an army of women to run branches as well as looking after the family, and in many cases doing war work too. 23 Seaside is home to our Eastbourne branch for the first nine years of its life, and in the following extract from “Martins Bank Branches in Sussex” (A.F. Hill 1984), we have a glimps of life at this time in the town, where following the evacuation of thousands of people, our branch at 23 Seaside keeps going through thick and thin – taking on the work of a nearby office which has to close for the duration of the war, and coping valiantly with the unexpected. Oh – and having closed for good once, it is briefly opened again…
Danger: U X B…
Our representation in Eastbourne was first based at 23 Seaside (a former Barclays sub-branch) where Mr W H Kingham and his staff of three opened the office in May 1937. Business was very slow in the first few years, but was given a boost by the closure of Bexhill Branch in December 1940, when that office was closed for the duration of the war and the business transferred to Eastbourne. Another factor that restricted growth in the early years of the war was that the population of Eastbourne fell to approximately 15000 persons soon after the fall of France, with all non essential persons being evacuated. During the early part of the war, Eastbourne was subjected to numerous hit and run air raids by German aircraft and although the Branch and staff suffered no casualities, on one occasion an unexploded bomb fell within 20 yards of the Bank and the staff were evacuated from the building for a fortnight. During that time business was conducted from the customers waiting room at National Provincial Bank in Terminus Road, Nat. Pro. providing a cashing and clearing service, with the days work being held in a suitcase until the all clear was given to return to the office and bring the Ledgers up to date. Mr Murray was manager during this difficult time, having been appointed to the office in September 1939, coping with the upheaval of wartime and the expansion of the peace. Martins’ spread of business in the town was largely private, with a business section made up of a good portion of hotel and guest house trade, together with allied trades. In 1946 the Bank bought 130 Terminus Road and occupied part of the premises, the other half being occupied by Geo Brown Gentlemens' Outfitters. The Branch outgrew its accommodation and in 1957 moved back to 23 Seaside whilst the whole of Terminus Road was rebuilt, returning there in 1958.
Mr W Kinghorn Manager 1937 to 1939	Mr J Murray Manager 1939 to 1946
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Title:		11-245 Eastbourne 23 Seaside Moves 1946
Type:		Full Branch
Address:		23 Seaside Eastbourne Sussex
Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		Eastbourne 20740 & 22000
Services:		Counter Only
Manager:		Mr W H Kinghorn Manager (1937)
© gut informiert 2007 to date