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Ramsgate Remembers its sailors and fishermen
Ramsgate Remembers its sailors and fishermen
Thanet, in its unique position at the south-eastern tip of England, where the North Sea meets the English Channel, has always been of strategic importance in naval warfare. The threat from German submarines soon became apparent, when on the last day of October 1914 HMS Hermes was torpedoed in the Dover Straits. When the Admiralty ordered in December 1914 that there was to be no fishing between Cromer and Portland Bill many of Thanet’s fishermen relocated to Brixham in Devon. Many other local fishermen took part in the Dover Patrol preventing German ships and submarines from using the English Channel to reach the Atlantic Ocean. Based at Dover and Dunkirk, the Dover Patrol assembled all kinds of vessels from cruisers to paddle-minesweepers. Apart from carrying out anti-submarine patrols the ships escorted merchantmen carrying troops, wounded soldiers, supplies and munitions across the Channel. They also worked hard laying sea-mines and constructing mine barrages. The families of trawler skippers received some financial assistance but money was always in short supply. Fourteen Ramsgate fishermen died at the hands of German U-Boats and over forty Ramsgate fishing smacks were lost, a big blow to the local economy.Many other local lads who were used to handling boats joined the Royal Navy or the Merchant Navy.
Created by: , Laura44155
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Born 1893
Died 1917
Royal Navy SS111627 Stoker 1st Class. H.M.T.B. "4"
More about Stephen William Judge -
Born 1884
Died 1915
Royal Navy 208693 Leading Seaman H.M.T.B. 12
More about William Richard Friend -
Born 1883
Died 1916
Royal Navy Commander HMS Defence
More about Alfred Fletcher Coplestone-Boughey -
Born 1871
Died 1919
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Third Hand Mercantile Marine - H.M. Troopship Princess Victoria
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More about William Frederick Blay -
Born 1901
Died 1963
Royal Navy J55459
Royal Navy J.55459 Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Orion
More about Charles Joseph Greengrass -
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Born 1886
Died 1918
Royal Navy 217831 Leading Seaman H.M.S. Ursa
Royal Navy 217831 Able Seaman HMS ONSLOW
More about George William Baker -
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Born 1897
Died 1915
Other Empire Force Able Seaman Merchant Navy. SS Moorside
More about George Edward Cecil Darby -
Born 1865
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Skipper Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Skipper Fishing Fleet - Smack "L.S.D" (Ramsgate)
More about Edwin Jordan -
Born 1879
Died 1918
Royal Navy SA 2690 Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 2690SA Second Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Trawler "Cleon."
More about Richard Wallace Reading -
Born 1884
Died 1918
Royal Navy K24860 Stoker 1st Class
Other Empire Force 564537 Boatswain Mercantile Marine Reserve
Other Empire Force 564537 Boatswain Mercantile Marine Reserve - H.M. Yacht, Ceto
More about Frederick James Dike -
Born 1894
Died 1916
Royal Navy K/18376(PO) Stoker 1st Class
Royal Navy K18376 Stoker 1st Class HMS Hampshire
More about Henry Known As Harry Maxted -
Born 1894
Died 1916
Royal Navy M18517 Engine Room Artificer 4th Class HMS Vivid
More about Wilfred Algernon Burfield -
Born 1894
Died 1916
Royal Navy Acting Assistant Paymaster
Royal Navy Assistant Paymaster HMS Indefatigable
More about Maurice Dymoke Dymocke -
Born 1874
Died 1914
Royal Navy 151804
Royal Navy 151804 Leading Stoker H.M.S. "Hogue."
More about John Morris -
Born 1895
Died 1915
Royal Navy 17291 Royal Marine Light Infantry: Chatham Division
Royal Navy CH/17291 Private Royal Marine Light Infantry - H.M.S. "Formidable."
More about Fred Thomas Lewis -
Born 1891
Died 1917
Royal Navy M10726 Shipwright 2nd Class HMS 'Vanguard'
More about Frederick William Chittenden -
Born 1892
Died 1918
Royal Navy 725 Temporary Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Submarine K.17.
More about Herbert Wilkins Antram -
Born 1895
Died 1917
Royal Navy J17840
Royal Navy J/17840 Able Seaman H.M.T.B. "4."
More about John Bruce Or Johnny Heyworth