Wind and fire wrecked old station

But the 19th century also witnessed turbulent conditions and in the 1890s when Bognor railway station experienced the full force of the elements.

Built in 1864 for the opening of the branch line from Barnham to Bognor, the station was far from the grand brick building we know today.

It was mainly wooden and the shelter consisted of one canopy 550ft in length '“ hardly a fitting structure to greet the growing number of holidaymakers to the town.

The station was frequently the subject of complaint from the local business community, which felt a more imposing structure was demanded.

In 1892 it seemed their wish had come true for during the winter the station was struck by high winds and the canopy collapsed.

However, much to the dismay of the local populace, the railway company simply rebuilt the structure.

History repeated itself for on the night of March 2, 1897, the strongest recorded winds for 50 years struck Bognor.

And during the morning of the following day, the wooden supports of the canopy roof were snapped like matchsticks.

But yet again, the wooden station was re-erected.

The railway company then put in hand plans to rebuild the station, but an event happened two years later from which there could be no turning back.

During the early hours of September 29, 1899, flames were seen bursting through the porters' room of the Bognor station.

The fire brigade was immediately summoned and throughout the early hours, the firemen battled using their hand-driven pump to put out the flames.

In spite of all the brigade's valiant efforts, the station building was destroyed save a small part of the lamp room '“ and all because a coat left to dry by a porter on a stove had caught fire.

Faced with such destruction, the railway company had to implement its plans for a new station and in 1902, a new building was opened costing 37,000.

It contained a parcels office, a large booking hall, refreshment room, first-floor residence for the stationmaster and a large clock tower still familiar to local residents.

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