THE townspeople of New Milton gathered to remember fallen civilians who died when the town was bombed during the Second World War.

Led by New Milton Town Council, residents and employees took a moment at the town’s memorial clock for the 26 people who lost their lives when the town was under attack.

On August 23, 1940, 20 men, women and children died when a lone Heinkel 111 flew over the town at first believed to be dropping leaflets.

It was apparently flying so low the crew could be seen inside.

According to local historian Nick Saunders, among those who died was 15-year-old Archie Bursey - a telegram messenger working for the Post Office. He was delivering a note at Old Milton Road when he was killed instantly.

He was a member of the 1st New Milton scouts. His coffin was escorted to the churchyard by fellow members of the troop accompanied by the scoutmasters.

Alfred Probert of Boldre was travelling with his wife Hilda and their four-year-old Jeanette in their motorcycle and sidecar close to the memorial cross when the bombs struck.

Corp Thomas Davies was serving in the 2nd battalion the Lancashire Fusiliers based at Fernhill Manor School which had been requisitioned for the duration of the war. He had been granted 48 hours leave and his wife, Evelyn, had travelled down from Preston be with him.

Davies met his wife at New Milton Railway Station and was walking down Station Road with her. Corp Davies was killed and his wife died of her injuries later at the Milford on Sea Hospital.

An additional six people were killed in similar bombings on August 8, 1942, and January 22, 1943 - including a mother and her four children.

New Forest District Council chairman Cllr Goff Beck, who went to school with one of the deceased, said: “I’m pleased to say that there are some half a dozen or so who actually witnessed the bombing of our high street, back in 1940, with us here today as part of this commemoration, to those who gave their life on August 23, 1940, on a day very similar to what we see today.

“In respect of all 26 members - we will remember them.”

Those remembered yesterday included: Irene Doris Avery, 31, Joan Mabel Bourne, 20, Archibald Ernest Bursey, 15, Albert Ernest Claydon, 60, Erna Dorothea Elizabeth Cooper, 24, Maurice Carlyon Cooper, 30, Evelyn Davies, 26, Ivy Adina Eagle, 45, Eliza Sophia Govier, 50, Barbara Ena Green, 17, Helena Hawkins, 42, Mildred Strangways Irwin, 55, Louis Frederic Stuart Matthews, 29, Dorothy Gladys Pickering, 43, William George Pitman, 50, Alfred Aaron Charles Probert, 30, Hilda Dorothy May Probert, 25, Jeanette Margaret Probert, four, Samuel Tosdivine, 75, Bertie Edwin Witt, 57, Gladys Mabel Richardson, 52, Brian Eric Holloway, six, Evelyn Edith Morin, 38, Gabrielle Evelyn Morin, 11, Norma Mary Morin, nine, Pauline Edith Morin, eight.