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.

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  • Born 1895

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy K21026 Stoker 1st Class HMS Vanguard

    Royal Navy K21026 H.M.S. Pembroke II

    Royal Navy K21026 Acting Leading Stoker H.M.S. Vanguard

  • Born 1886

    Died 1918

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Spare Hand Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler "Eros" (Hull)

  • Profile picture for Ernest George Watson

    Born 1892

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy K6534

    Royal Navy K/6534 Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Marshal Ney

  • Profile picture for George William Isaacs

    Died 1918

    Other Empire Force 954038 Trimmer Mercantile Marine Reserve

    Other Empire Force 954038 Trimmer Mercantile Marine Reserve - H.M.S. Orotava

  • Born 1874

    Died 1919

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Fourth Hand Fishing Fleet - Trawler "Impulse" (Ramsgate)

  • Born 1868

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy 126189 Leading Seaman (Petty Officer Coast Guard) HMS Monmouth

  • Profile picture for Stanley Victor John Beer

    Born 1897

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy J20874 Boy 2nd Class HMS Impregnable

    Royal Navy J20874 Boy 1st Class HMS Impregnable

    Royal Navy J20874 Able Seaman HMS Ajax

  • Born 1867

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy Chief Boatswain Merchant Navy. Mercantile Marine

  • Born 1880

    Royal Navy Sergeant Royal Marine Artillery HMS Bacchante

    Royal Navy 8093 Sergeant Royal Marine Artillery HMS Thunderer

  • Profile picture for James Patrick Curran

    Born 1892

    Died 1915

    Canadian Navy 1604/X Seaman Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve - HM Drifter Arcady

    Canadian Navy 1604/X Seaman Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve

  • Born 1880

    Died 1915

    Royal Navy 344901

    Royal Navy 344901 Shipwright 2nd Class H.M.S. "Formidable."

  • Born 1892

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy J2118 Able Seaman H.M.S. Vanguard.

  • Born 1891

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy Lieutenant HMS Good Hope

  • Profile picture for William Charles Caspall

    Born 1874

    Died 1918

    Royal Navy M19971

    Royal Navy M/19971 Junior Reserve Attendant Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve - H.M.S. Crescent

  • Born 1889

    Royal Navy SS1818

  • Born 1877

    Died 1915

    Royal Navy 286357

    Royal Navy 286357 Stoker 1st Class HMS Actaeon (H.M.T.B.12)

  • Born 1886

    Died 1919

    Royal Navy 221957(CH) Able Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke

    Royal Navy 221957 Able Seaman HMS INDOMITABLE

  • Born 1895

    Died 1918

  • Born 1881

    Died 1915

    Other Empire Force Skipper Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Skipper Fishing Fleet - Smack "Ophir" (Ramsgate)

  • Profile picture for James Frederick Horn

    Born 1879

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy 181049

    Royal Navy 181049 Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. "Cressy."

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