Life at the Redoubt Fortress
The living conditions for the men were very basic with the Redoubt having no fresh water supply. Four tanks were kept underground capable of holding 3,000 gallons of water but they could become swamped by sea water during high tides. Each Casemate contained a fire place and was fitted with hooks for storage and hammocks, later replaced by folding iron beds.
It is unlikely that more than 200 men lived in the fortress at any one time, the Casemates were designed to hold only 10 men each and with only 24 the parade ground was also used as canvas covered living quarters.
By 1830 the Redoubt housed only seven gunners, a gate-keeper and their families and by 1859 it was felt that along with the Martello Towers it would be unable to survive an attack from a modern warships. In 1867 a sea wall was constructed to try and protect the fortress and in 1884 the Eastbourne Corporation contacted the War Department about purchasing the Redoubt.
The land around the Redoubt was leased to the local council from 1888 but the War Department maintained ownership of the fortress, using it as a barracks and store for munitions. The London Diocesan Church Lads also used the Redoubt from 1904-10 as their annual camp. During the 1st World War the fortress was used by the military police as a headquarters and temporary jail.
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