As an amateur historian, I am currently researching the arrival of the telephone in Hastings in 1885/6.

The first engineer employed by the South of England Telephone Company was James Edwards, who originally came from Brighton and eventually returned there after his retirement.

He was born in Hackney, London, in 1852 and eventually moved to Brighton, where he resided in two locations - 21 Pelham Street and then 27 Florence Road.

During his employment in Hastings telephone exchange (1885-1890?), he lived first in Mount Pleasant and later Nelson Road before retiring back to Brighton.

I would be grateful for any information on him which readers might have.

I can be contacted on 01424 438084 if anyone has any news or advice as to where I might look.

-David Holdstock, St Leonards