Southdown sheep 1.5 to 2.5 inches (4-6 cm). An estimated 110,000 sheep were in Sussex as early as 1341. At the time, their wool was second only to the Hereford sheep in fineness and quality. In 1780, John Ellman realized the potential of these animals and set out to standardize the Southdown breed. In the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, they were found in large numbers, especially in the South Downs near Lewes. In 1813, Arthur Young estimated 200,000 ewes were kept on the eastern South Downs and commented, "the amazing number they keep is one of the most
HMS Southdown (L25) HMS Southdown (L25) HMS "Southdown" was a Type I destroyer of the Royal Navy which served in World War II. She was scrapped in 1956. "Southdown" was ordered on 11 April 1939 under the 1939 War Emergency Build Programme as job number J6602. She was completed in November 1940. She was adopted by the town of Woking in Surrey as part of Warship Week in 1942. She earned battle honours during the Second World War for the North Sea 1941-1945, where she spent the majority of her service. In June 1944 she formed part of the Naval escort force in