NOSTALGIA: Images create memories of a bygone Eastbourne era

The South Cliff building was known as Gowrie House during the Second World War and operated as a club for Australian repatriated prisoners of war.

A newspaper from the Sunday Times, Perth, June 1945, states, “London: Lady Michaelis has announced that Gowrie House at Eastbourne, which at present is a club for Australian repatriated prisoners of war, will be handed over to the Ministry of Pensions as a home for disabled servicemen when all Australians have gone home.

“Lady Michaelis, who is the widow of Sir Maximilian Michaelis, South African gold and diamond mineowner, also gave £50,000 for maintenance of the home.

“Brigadier Langlew, Australian Red Cross commissioner, said that many Australian repatriates thought it the finest club in Britain.”