The King's Arms in Montague Street. It stood where the old Argos building stands today.

Looking at the picture and the adjoining buildings on either side, it's hard to believe we're looking in the right place. You have to keep in mind that this is the original King's Arms before being rebuilt.

The rebuild and that of its neighbouring buildings was set further back further back from the then road as part of the councils plan to straighten up the street.

The CEX shop just in view below used the be the Victoria Inn. it wasn't rebuilt and so remains in its original position. So, if you ever wondered why some buildings jut out on the south side, now you know.

This map from the 70s may add some clarity. As you can see, Montague Street was well served by Public Houses. It also illuminates just how uneven the south side of the road was.

This image (right) is perhaps the one best remembered by those of a certain age. The picture came from a Worthing Gazette article, I think dated 21st of June 1939. It states:

"Several well-known firms have co-operated very successfully in making the new King's Arms a striking example of what a modern hotel should be."

It goes on to list Frank Sandell and Sons (construction) and Jordan and Cook (furnishings, carpets, and curtains).

"During the whole period of rebuilding business was not interrupted, even for a day.

This was made possible largely by the peculiarities of the site, for it was found advisable to build the hotel in two parts.

Property was acquired with a frontage to Augusta Place, and on this site was built a lounge with a bar entirely separate from the other bars. This was used while the Montague street front was being built."

"Mr Jeff" Brackley, the present licensee, is the third member of the Brackley family to govern the fortunes of the King's Arms. His uncle, the present mayor, Alderman AE. Brackley was the first of his family actually to hold the licence, which he took over in 1899. Aderman Brackley remained at the King's arms until 1910, and was succeeded by his brother, Mr Henry Geoffery Brackley, the father of Councillor Jeff Brackley, who has been the licensee for the last three years."

As far as we are aware this view is of the back of the building. The alleyway on the right still exists. This picture shows the Number 3 Platoon 'A' Company Sussex (Worthing) Home Guard. 17th December 1944. The Landlord, Henry Jeffery Thomas Brackley is on the back row on the extreme left. Jeff (as he was known) was also the Mayor of Worthing from 1954 - 55

This picture was kindly donated by Colin Reid from his personal family collection.
 

Identified so far:
Henry Brackley, the landlord of the Kings Arm's.

Edward Charles Payne, the Grandfather of Colin Reid. "Number 3 Platoon was his original platoon. He left number 3 platoon, as Sergeant, on June 6th 1941 before taking the post of Company Sergeant Major till August 10th, that year when he took over the command of Number 4 platoon as Lieutenant EC Payne. It must have been an honour for him to be invited back to his old platoon to be photographed as the Home Guard was stood down." Colin Reid

 Time Line

 A little bit extra

1830 - 1839 James Wicks
1837 - Building for sale
1953 - John & Mary Thomas
1855 - Charles Jenkins
1856 - 1959 Sarah Jenkins
1866 - G Graves
1878 - 1890 John Stickland
1892 - Harry Reed
1899 - 1910 AE Brackley
1910 - Henry Brackley
1931 - 1952 Henry (Jeff) Brackley
1939 - rebuilt in red brick
1955 - 1960s John & Mary Thomas
1964 John & Dot Roberts
1965 demolished - became Millets, then Argos

Special thanks to Alf Regis for the use of the King's Arms picture taken by his father, Jack Regis, and also to members of the Facebook group 'Worthing Past & Present' for additional information and pictures.