This week’s picture from Reeves was taken in 1915 and it features a parade of soldiers about to go off to fight in the First World War outside the Phoenix Ironworks. It is unknown the connection between the men and the foundry: perhaps, suggests Tom Reeves, they were using the building as a barracks, or perhaps the soldiers had been recruited from amongst the workers there. Whatever the case, it is unlikely that more than half of them made it back - over 250 Lewes men and boys were killed in the conflict, and a total of 6,550 from the Royal Sussex Regiment, many of whom were barracked in Lewes. Reeves have an extensive archive of photos in their collection, which you can browse through at 159 High Street where the business has been running for four generations since 1858. If you know anything more about any of the photos we publish, don’t hesitate to contact us.