Details of Books by Stephen LeVine
Lords to Bureaucrats
This book is about the history of Town Halls in the county. The creating, building and financing with details of the town’s prominent residents involved with local government. At first the idea and history of regional government and then we travel through both East and West Sussex with further information on the progress of Town Halls and Civic Centres. Then a short detailed history of each town and village and description of the buildings and people involved with local governance. With information on council involvement in the set up of the Police, Fire and Ambulance services in the county.
There are over thirty towns and villages in the county with what we can call a Town Hall. Some still have their Town Halls, others have lost them over time and others have just a modern Civic Centre that carries out the duties of the Town Hall. In some towns, there have been more than one building used and others have not had a Town Hall for many years. With a village choosing to become a town, they had the choice to elect a mayor. Some did and some did not. One village in the county had two mayors over a ten-year period but only in office for two hundred days. Most towns in the book have an accompanying photograph of the Town Hall.
Hailsham Barracks
Great Britain was at war with France after the breakdown of the Treaty of Amiens in 1803. Napoleon was ravishing Europe and there was great concern about an invasion across the English Channel. The authorities decided that they needed additional defences and a new department was setup by the War Office. They considered the south coast most vulnerable and began a large and expensive program of barrack building.
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This is a story about one such infantry barrack built in a small town in Sussex. I tell this story of the Barrack Master’s Office and the building of the barrack. There is information about the comings and goings of the many regiments that visited Hailsham while the barrack was maintained.
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After the defeat of Napoleon, many barracks along the southern counties were closed.
This is a record of all the regiments that visited, along with church burial records that have survived. Soldiers were dying of disease, accidents, fights and the occasional suicide. Life was tough for the regular soldier.
Unsung Heroes
For a hundred and fifty years, Eastbourne operated its fire service. From the early days of hand pumps through to horse-drawn steam fire appliances to motor-driven engines. The service kept up to date with the development of firefighting techniques. Firemen were volunteers, made up of local tradespeople and shopkeepers. The brigade arranged collections through the town for funds to support the service. And they paid the men a small allowance for attending fires and fire drills. With the forming of the Borough of Eastbourne, they retained some men on a salary. But still had volunteers helping in the fight against fire. Later they introduced a more professional service, with full-time firemen and new fire stations positioned throughout the town. With the coming of the railway in 1849, the town expanded and became a popular tourist location with numerous large hotels and many visitors throughout the season. The fire service kept up with the latest firefighting equipment. The officers in charge made it a priority to attend national and foreign fire brigade gatherings. Also, where possible, they attended brigade competitions. There were always good working relationships with other brigades around the county, and they arranged frequent competitive events for the fire crews. This book tells the story of the Eastbourne Fire Brigade and information on major fires they attended. There are details about fire personnel bravery and the officers who commanded them. I devote a section in the book to the brigade’s fire appliances showing the progress from the early machines to the large water tenders and turntable ladders of later years. Whilst under local administration, there were many changes in the local fire service. From a group of volunteer firefighters under Vestry control to full time, well-trained and educated professional men and women with the latest firefighting equipment. 1974 saw the amalgamation of the Eastbourne Fire Brigade into the East Sussex Fire Service. This ended the borough's control and development of the town’s fire service.
The Sitakund Disaster
On a quiet Autumn evening in October 1968, the peace was broken by a large explosion at sea. Two more explosions followed it. The residents of the quiet seaside town of Eastbourne and other nearby towns rushed into the streets to see what had caused this disturbance.
An oil tanker travelling down the English Channel was the cause of all this excitement.
Fishing boats, tugs and a Royal Navy frigate all rushed to the aid of the vessel in distress.
Our story recounts the events day by day of the crew’s rescue and the fight against the raging fire.
After the tragedy of the Torrey Canyon the previous year, and the disastrous pollution of the sea and beaches in Cornwall, this was of great concern in the town.
Local firefighters with no experience in fighting large fires at sea and two tugs with firefighting equipment managed to extinguish the blaze, but they could not save the tanker.
We tell the story of the battle of those brave men.
Pacific Mystery
A tale of rumour, missing gold and pirates.
This new book sheds light on the unsolved last journey of the Asiatic Prince.
It tells the story of the ship and its journeys and reports on the many rumours that spread worldwide about her disappearance. Was there mutiny on board, or did pirates attack her? What happened to her crew and the bullion she was carrying? There were suggestions of the ship being hit by meteorites and even Aliens taking her.
Author Stephen LeVine said, “I hope the book sheds light on what happened that fateful day in March 1928 and squashes the ridiculous rumours that spread around the world.”
My thanks to all the people who helped me and the various newspaper archives where I found valuable information that helped me with my research.”
A retired marine engineer and relative of one of the engineers on board kindly wrote the book’s foreword.
Six ships, One name
This book relates the nautical history and stories of ships in the 19th and 20th centuries whose only connection is that they all shared the name Eastbourne, a seaside town in Sussex in the south of England. Their stories reveal incidents covering many ports, cities and oceans worldwide, encompassing 1878 through to 1984. Without a port of harbour until the building of a modern marina in 1993, for over 150 years, the town had had the honour of six ships bearing its name, both Royal Navy and merchant navy. The book tells these vessels’ everyday comings and goings across the oceans. We discovered fire, collisions, running aground, and one ship having her propellers removed but staying in service for many more years. These were very diverse vessels, including a fishing trawler, general cargo ships and Royal Navy warships. We follow them carrying on trade in peacetime, WW1 and WW2, with details about D-Day Normandy Landings preparations and shipping convoys, opening a historical window onto the broader events of the time. The book also covers a Royal Navy frigate’s involvement in the fishing dispute with Iceland, known as the Cod Wars of 1958-1973. Over the years, the town was proud these ships carried its name as they crossed the high seas, protecting us in wartime and bringing food and essential goods in often dangerous weather conditions.
For King or Country
War had been raging between the American Patriots and the British Army since the opening battles of Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775. The 13 colonies in North America were at war with Great Britain. The Americans (Rebels) demanded independence and the release from the severe restrictions imposed by the British government and the high taxes imposed on the colonies. Major Philip Van Cortlandt and his immediate family are the focus of our story. He came from a wealthy and educated background, with ancestors who were the founding fathers of New York. We examine the pressure and challenging decisions they faced during these turbulent times. Driven by his conscience and circumstances, Philip joined the New Jersey Volunteers who were part of the Loyalists’ Provincial Corps, which fought for the King. Like many other citizens, he fought against his fellow countrymen and cousins. Because of his actions, he lost his home and lands in New Jersey and New York and the right to live in America. Many loyalists of the Crown found their families had become divided, with some never reconciling with their loved ones. Philip, with his wife and many children, had to find a new life in a foreign land. This is his story. ​
E-Books
Hailsham Barracks
Great Britain was at war with France after the breakdown of the Treaty of Amiens in 1803. Napoleon was ravishing Europe and there was great concern about an invasion across the English Channel. The authorities decided that they needed additional defences and a new department was setup by the War Office. They considered the south coast most vulnerable and began a large and expensive program of barrack building.
​
This is a story about one such infantry barrack built in a small town in Sussex. I tell this story of the Barrack Master’s Office and the building of the barrack. There is information about the comings and goings of the many regiments that visited Hailsham while the barrack was maintained.
​
After the defeat of Napoleon, many barracks along the southern counties were closed.
This is a record of all the regiments that visited, along with church burial records that have survived. Soldiers were dying of disease, accidents, fights and the occasional suicide. Life was tough for the regular soldier.
The Sitakund Disaster
A tale of rumour, missing gold and pirates.
This new book sheds light on the unsolved last journey of the Asiatic Prince.
It tells the story of the ship and its journeys and reports on the many rumours that spread worldwide about her disappearance. Was there mutiny on board, or did pirates attack her? What happened to her crew and the bullion she was carrying? There were suggestions of the ship being hit by meteorites and even Aliens taking her.
Author Stephen LeVine said, “I hope the book sheds light on what happened that fateful day in March 1928 and squashes the ridiculous rumours that spread around the world.”
My thanks to all the people who helped me and the various newspaper archives where I found valuable information that helped me with my research.”
A retired marine engineer and relative of one of the engineers on board kindly wrote the book’s foreword.
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Pacific Mystery
A tale of rumour, missing gold and pirates.
This new book sheds light on the unsolved last journey of the Asiatic Prince.
It tells the story of the ship and its journeys and reports on the many rumours that spread worldwide about her disappearance. Was there mutiny on board, or did pirates attack her? What happened to her crew and the bullion she was carrying? There were suggestions of the ship being hit by meteorites and even Aliens taking her.
Author Stephen LeVine said, “I hope the book sheds light on what happened that fateful day in March 1928 and squashes the ridiculous rumours that spread around the world.”
My thanks to all the people who helped me and the various newspaper archives where I found valuable information that helped me with my research.”
A retired marine engineer and relative of one of the engineers on board kindly wrote the book’s foreword.
Digger to Swimmer
An ordinary working-class man, son of an agricultural labourer, he dedicated his life to the residents of a small town on the south coast of England. He influenced and brought joy to others and saved many lives. Aged nine years, he left school and was still working at 76.
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His lifelong dedication went unnoticed, even though he received the fire service's highest award.
Living through two world wars, his family suffered significant personal losses.
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This is a short story of Harry’s life so we all can remember a forgotten hero.
For King Or Country
War had been raging between the American Patriots and the British Army since the opening battles of Lexington and Concord on 19 April 1775. The 13 colonies in North America were at war with Great Britain. The Americans (Rebels) demanded independence and the release from the severe restrictions imposed by the British government and the high taxes imposed on the colonies. Major Philip Van Cortlandt and his immediate family are the focus of our story. He came from a wealthy and educated background, with ancestors who were the founding fathers of New York. We examine the pressure and challenging decisions they faced during these turbulent times. Driven by his conscience and circumstances, Philip joined the New Jersey Volunteers who were part of the Loyalists’ Provincial Corps, which fought for the King. Like many other citizens, he fought against his fellow countrymen and cousins. Because of his actions, he lost his home and lands in New Jersey and New York and the right to live in America. Many loyalists of the Crown found their families had become divided, with some never reconciling with their loved ones. Philip, with his wife and many children, had to find a new life in a foreign land. This is his story. ​