German Field Gun

In February 1919 a German machine-gun was sent to East Grinstead in recognition of the town's success in raising War Loans on behalf of the British government. At a meeting of the East Grinstead Urban Council, Joseph Rice and Alfred Burt complained that the town deserved something that could be placed on public exhibition in the High Street. The machine-gun was sent back but the War Office said it was unable to obtain anything better.

The campaign to obtain a more significant war trophy continued for the next six months. Eventually, in November, 1919, Lord Leconfield wrote to the East Grinstead Urban Council with the news that the War Office had agreed to present the town with a captured German 77mm Field Gun.

When the gun arrived on 19th April, 1920, it was placed in the High Street. However, some local men who had served in the army during the war, objected to a German gun being on display in the town. On the 24th April, a group of men took the gun and pushed it into the pond at Dunnings Mill. The gun remained in the pond until August 1920 when the council gave permission to the owner of Dunnings Mill, Arthur Musgrave, to dispose of it.

The German gun in Dunnings Mill Pond in April, 1920.

East Grinstead Urban Council minutes (3rd February, 1919)

A small German machine-gun has been sent to the town as a souvenir and in recognition of its highly successful efforts on behalf of the War Loans. It was proposed by Mr. Rice and seconded by Mr. Burt that the gun be returned and the opinion expressed that the town desired something that could be placed on public exhibition in the street. The proposal was carried unanimously.

East Grinstead Urban Council minutes (19th April, 1920)

The Surveyor reported a captured German field gun had been presented to the town and asked for instructions as to where it had to be placed. It was resolved that it be left to the Roads and Bridges Committee to find a suitable temporary position for the gun.

East Grinstead Urban Council minutes (26th April, 1920)

The Surveyor reported that the captured German gun which had been placed in the High Street was removed on the 24th April by some persons unknown and thrown into the stream at Dunnings Mill, and that the fence alongside the stream had been damaged. The Roads and Bridges Committee recommended that the Surveyor communicate to the Police with a view to obtaining the names of some of the persons concerned so that they may be prosecuted.