Watermill Lane 1920s Suicide

posted by Georgina Rudland on 25 Jan 2012 at 10:45 pm

Hi,
I've just moved into the area and I'm interested in finding out about a suicide that happened around the 1920's in Watermill Lane.

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Watermill Lane Suicide

posted by Jude on 30 Jan 2012 at 7:14 pm

East Sussex Records Office hold inquest reports from 1925 to 1959. Having had a look from 1925 to 1935, I couldn't find anything in Watermill Lane, Bexhill. However, there was a suicide by hanging in Watermill Lane, Guestling in 1928. The suicides/deaths in Sidley were: 2 suicides in Ninfield Road in January and July 1935, 1 cardiac failure in Old Hill House, Sidley in 1927 and 1 death at Ingrams Farm, Ninfield in 1927 where the verdict was "accidentally shot".
I couldn't find where the inquest reports from 1920-25 are held and there were no reports in The Times. Do you have any other information which may help?

Watermill Lane Suicide

posted by Pete Dubois on 08 Feb 2012 at 10:03 am

There are a couple of suicides recorded in Watermill Lane in the 1920's. Which end of the lane though as it's a long old road that one. We have quite an historic record archive of coroners reports for the period and can probably narrow it down for you with better information. Pete

Watermill Lane Suicide

posted by Georgina Rudland on 09 Feb 2012 at 7:59 pm

Hi Pete,

Thank you for your message.
The middle of Watermill Lane nr Freezeland Lane.
A lot of the local people whom have lived in this area for years have told me a few variations of the same story;- some have said that it was a Butler that hanged himself from a tree, others have said he hung himself from the front of the house. I'm not convinced he would have been a butler as this would suggest possibly a wealthy family that lived in a huge house. The houses in this part are large but many have been extended in recent years so were probably smaller back in the 1920's.

Watermill Lane Suicide

posted by Pete Dubois on 12 Feb 2012 at 1:00 pm

Hi Georgina. There are two possibilities for this really - well two incidents that fit the bill. Firstly there is Reginald Oton who was registered as a "handyman" who dies in 1923; or there is, more likely DK Winters who was definitely a suicide by hanging in 1926. The record does not show exactly what his occupation is but there are extensive notes and photos attached to the archive for both incidents. Plus the suicides of two woman and the murder of a third in the lane in the late 1910's and through the 1920's. My email address is petedubois70@gmail.com if you want to email me your address and I can send you photocopies of them. Pete

Watermill Lane Suicide

posted by Kim on 18 May 2012 at 11:51 am

Hello Georgina,I just came across your post, I actually live in Watermill Lane. The house in question is called Edgewood House and it's on the corner of Freezeland Lane.It's an exceptionally large house compared to others in the area and the butler is supposed to have hung himself from a tree in the garden as a result of unrequited love.His ghost is supposed to haunt the lane!

Re Watermill Lane

posted by Georgina rudland on 31 May 2012 at 10:55 am

Hi Kim,

Thanks for your message, Have you ever seen the ghost ! I've also heard that a horse and carriage ghost haunts the lane and I've spoken to people that have heard it.

Watermill Lane

posted by Kim Cooper on 09 Jun 2012 at 12:56 pm

Hi Georgina,
I've also heard about the horse and carriage that haunts the lane. No, I've never seen the ghost but I've only been down past there in a car. Apparently the locals won't go near after dark because of the hauntings, it's also dangerous because of the lack of pavements in the vicinity and the amount of traffic which uses the lane!

Edgewood House

posted by Tony...... on 18 Dec 2013 at 2:37 pm

Firstly I do not want my email address to be made public. I used to own a property near Edgewood House and could tell you a horendous story of my encounters there with the ghost. This happened some years ago, about 1970 - i couldnt wait to sell the property

Watermill Lane.

posted by dave on 25 Dec 2013 at 3:40 am

I grew up in bexhill and battle and used that lane on foot and bike for many many years and never heard or saw a thing, I have camped out in the woods all round that area, and knew the chap that lived in redgrove before it was torn down, never heard of a ghost in that part of the lane,however I would never walk through brightling at night especially near the old green man pub on the corner,I would bike way out of my way before going there on my way to burwash. that corner sends chills down my back just thinking about it.

Spooky

posted by Dave margolis on 12 Mar 2014 at 8:30 pm

I have not heard of the horse and cart but we drove past the house on the corner and we saw a frightening figure up at one of the windows. It was dark but what we could make out was a bald small fat figure with mad staring eyes. We have not been back since

Bridge At Watermill Lane

posted by triciafln on 04 Apr 2014 at 1:45 pm

I used to live near the bridge and heard what I thought was someone wading through the stream early hours one summer morning just at first light. However no one was there. Even the dogs heard something! Shortly after, walking along the field adjacent to the stream with friends on a very warm afternoon, a couple of us were lagging behind and encountered an icy cold blast like opening a freezer. We still talk about it now. It was very creepy!

Memorial Bench For 2 Women That Died In Sidley East Sussex

posted by Jo-anne Cragg on 17 May 2014 at 11:37 pm

Hi

I have recently moved to Sidley and there is a collection for a memorial bench for 2 woman that died in Sidley Can you tell me anything about it.

Thanks Jo-anne

Memorial Bench

posted by Jazz on 26 Jun 2014 at 9:21 pm

2 elderly Women were horrifically killed by a hit and run driver on the zebra crossing on Ninfield Road in the middle of the village back in the 1980's or early 90's. Some Friends were in the Village at the time and saw the whole thing. It was a very upsetting incident and rather horrific but I wont go into too much gory detail. Maybe the Memorial Bench is in Memory of the 2 Ladies who sadly lost their lives? Is the Bench outside the New Inn Pub?

MEMORIAL BENCH, SIDLEY

posted by Frances White on 03 Feb 2017 at 10:31 am

I was the car driver who stopped to allow these 3 old ladies to cross on the zebra crossing on that fateful night! They were killed right in front of me and my 9 year old daughter (who was in the car with me). I had blood on my car and the next day my father, who cleaned my car after the police examined it, found a tiny piece of flesh that had come in through the sun roof!!!! We were so traumatised after the event, I was put on anti-depressants and my daughter was struggling too. We sold the car a short time after! As far as the memorial bench goes, all I can say is, too little, too late! Should have been done soon after the tragic event!!!!!!! Last thoughts.........I HATE ZEBRA CROSSINGS!!!!!!

Suicide And Hit And Run.

posted by Taliesin Bourne on 21 May 2017 at 3:11 pm

Hi Frances White, I know the hit and run may be a painful subject to breach but can you tell me any more info or if it is still upsetting where I can find any more information?

As for Watermill lane, I have never liked the area. from the brick works on wards has spooked me out. the highwoods is always to quiet and foreboding. i have heard a few stories of the area to but it is still an eery place

Anon

posted by Anon on 02 Jun 2017 at 9:26 pm

What a load of rubbish I have lived in Watermill lane for over 30yrs just up the road from Edgewood house passed it most days nothing spooky no horse and carts only live ones
Walked in the lane many a time late at night Nothing ????