Christchurch, History | Posted on August 26th, 2026 | return to news

New Milton remembers 31 lives lost

The town of New Milton was bombed on three occasions during WW11 and so each year an act of Remembrance is held.

During WW11, 31 people including two children, died during three bombing raids in New Milton and so every year local people come together to remember.

An Act of Remembrance was held on 23 August, the anniversary of the first bombing raid on 23 August 1940 when 25 people were killed.

Further bombing raids occurred on 8 August 1942 when one resident was killed and on 22 January 1943 another bombing raid killed a family of five living in their home.

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Rob Maynard, welcomed residents to the Memorial Clock on Station Road south and referred to its installation in 2011. The Memorial Clock, funded by the people of New Milton, was erected as a symbol of collective remembrance.

An inscribed paviour at the base of the clock reads: ‘Funded by the people of New Milton in memory of those killed when enemy bombs fell on the town during World War II’.

Local resident, and Honorary Freeman of New Milton, also former Councillor and Town Mayor, Goff Beck, was a young boy at the time of the first bombing on 23 August 1940. Participating in the service and reading the 31 names holds great significance for Goff, as he recalled a bright summer morning 86 years ago, when he observed a low-flying, lone German Heinkel bomber approaching the town. Seconds later, the aircraft discharged a stick of bombs – which he was later to learn were three x 250-pounders and 19 x 50-pound anti-personnel and incendiaries weapons.