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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 1882
Died 1918
Royal Navy Z/4268 Royal Naval Division
Royal Navy Z/4268 Able Seaman Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve H.M. Yacht, Ceto
More about Sidney Alfred Bosher -
Born 1889
Royal Navy Z/4293 Royal Naval Division
More about Walter Arthur Randle -
Born 1886
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Boatswain Mercantile Marine - S.S. "Iolo" (London)
More about R Glynn -
Born 1880
Died 1914
Royal Navy Captain Royal Marines - HMS BULWARK
More about Herbert Claude Morton -
Born 1880
Died 1918
Royal Navy 188897
Royal Navy 188897 Petty Officer Telegraphist H.M.S. "Cadmus."
More about George Thomas Joad -
Born 1871
Died 1917
Royal Navy SA 2592 Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 2592/SA Second Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M.S. Attentive II
Royal Navy 2592/SA Second Hand H.M.S. Attentive II Royal Naval Reserve.
More about Frank William Gee -
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Born 1897
Died 1915
Royal Navy J20654 Ord. Seaman HMS Natal
More about Stanley James Attwell Drayson -
Born 1886
Died 1918
Other Empire Force 923464 Ordinary Seaman Mercantile Marine Reserve
Other Empire Force 923464 Ordinary Seaman Mercantile Marine Reserve - H.M. Yacht, Ceto
More about Nicholas Charles Holyer -
Born 1889
Died 1920
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Royal Navy K.12926 Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. Pembroke II
Other Empire Force Deck Hand Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler 'Campanula' (Ramsgate)
More about Edward John Miller -
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Born 1886
Died 1918
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Seaman Mercantile Marine - S.S. "Shadwell" (Sunderland)
More about William James Hubbard -
Born 1884
Died 1915
Royal Navy 208693 Leading Seaman H.M.T.B. 12
More about William Richard Friend