Welcome from the Eastbourne Catenians
Brother Bernard Sanderson welcomes you to the home page of Eastbourne Catenian Circle's web site. Including sub pages, there are 60 pages to explore. Our membership now stands at 54. Eastbourne is situated on the Sussex Coast in England
STOP PRESS: OUR NEW COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL PROGRAMME FOR 2010-11 CAN BEFOUND HERE
You are unique visitor number
since the web site's relaunch on May 10th 2007.
Today date: 
Time in Eastbourne is 
Please use the menu on the left to explore our site. The Circle Blog/Journal can be found here.
R.I.P
The funeral of Bro Maurice took place at Our Lady of Ransom Church , Eastbourne on Friday 4th December . Bro Maurice was born in London in 1920 and educated at Douai School, Berkshire, from 1932 to 1937. He later lived with his family in Polegate for 20 years, before moving to Eastbourne in 1982. Before the Second World War, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve for pilot training at Hatfield as a sergeant. Called up in September 1939, he soon received his wings and was posted to 44 Squadron at Waddington. At the end of 1940 he was commissioned, and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He worked as an instructor for a short time then returned to operations with 83 Squadron at Scampton, flying Avro Manchesters before he flew the legendary Lancaster, an aircraft he loved.
In 1949, he formed Chapman & Smith Ltd with Bert Chapman. The company manufactured a wide range of safety products and was originally based in Mill Hill, north London, but relocated to East Hoathly in the 1960s. As it expanded he became managing director and then chairman. He remained active in the company into his 80s, until 2007 when it closed. He was also an active member of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Eastbourne and, because of his charitable work and donations became a a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre .
On behalf of the mayor of Eastbourne, Mr Smith organised relief convoys to Poland in the 1980s . He contributed much from his own and his family's resources in both materials and manpower for the project. Mr Smith was a member of The Catenians, twice being president of the Eastbourne Circle as well as Provincial President. He was married to Mary for 59 years but she predeceased him, as did his youngest daughter, Caroline. He leaves three daughters, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
An example of his bravery (for which he was awarded a bar to his DFC)is reproduced from the London Gazette:
Flying Officer Maurice Arthur SMITH, D.F.C. (88658), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
'No. 83 Squadron. On 12th February, 1942, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which participated in an attack on German battleships at sea. When nearing the objectives, his aircraft was
attacked by 3 enemy fighters. The rear gunner was wounded in the hand and chest but he opened fire on one of the attackers, causing it to dive away. It was then shotdown by the front gunner. Although another of the fighters was shot down, Flying Officer Smith's aircraft had sustained much damage. The starboard wing was pierced by a cannon shell, the starboard rudder shot away in shreds and other damage was sustained. Nevertheless, by a fine display of airmanship, Flying Officer Smith succeeded in flying the aircraft safely back to this country where he made a safe landing. In the face of difficult circumstances, this officer displayed great skill and courage.' CROWN COPYRIGHT RESERVED.
