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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  • 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 1897

    Died 1918

    Royal Navy J21570 Signalman HM Submarine G12

  • Profile picture for Walter Flintham

    Born 1891

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy 239183 Boy 2nd Class HMS Ganges

    Royal Navy 239183 Leading Seaman H.M.T.B. "4."

  • Profile picture for Albert Henry Strong

    Born 1899

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy J/43722 Ordinary Telegraphist H.M.S. Attentive II

    Royal Navy J43722 Ordinary Telegraphist. H.M.T.B. "4"

  • Born 1878

    Died 1916

    Royal Navy 285854

    Royal Navy 285854 Stoker Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. "Fortune"

  • Profile picture for Thomas John Stead

    Born 1869

    Died 1915

    Other Empire Force Shipwright H.M. Dockyard

    Royal Navy Shipwright H.M. Dockyard Sheerness H.M.S. Princess Irene

  • Profile picture for James Frederick Cox

    Born 1875

    Died 1920

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Royal Navy 164906 Boy 2nd Class HMS Impregnable

    Other Empire Force Trimmer Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler 'Campanula' (Ramsgate)

  • Profile picture for Joseph Richard Inkerman Wigley

    Born 1880

    Died 1915

    Other Empire Force Shipwright H.M. Dockyard

    Royal Navy Shipwright H.M. Dockyard, Sheerness H.M.S. Princess Irene

  • Profile picture for George Barranger

    Born 1884

    Died 1914

    British Army L/7149 Private East Kent Regiment 1st Battalion

    British Army L/7149 Private The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

  • Born 1874

    Died 1914

    Other Empire Force Third Hand Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Third Hand Fishing Fleet - Smack "Our Tom" (Ramsgate)

  • Profile picture for Percy William James Petley

    Born 1880

    Died 1918

    Royal Navy M9453

  • Profile picture for Geoffrey Stephen Allfree

    Born 1889

    Died 1918

    Royal Navy Royal Naval Division

    Royal Navy Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve - H.M. Motor Launch 247.

  • Born 1874

    Died 1918

    Royal Navy 174298

    Royal Navy 174298 Stoker 1st Class H.M.S. "Endeavour"

  • Profile picture for Hilary James Bert Farley

    Born 1887

    Died 1915

    Royal Navy Shipwright H.M. Dockyard Sheerness H.M.S. Princess Irene

  • Profile picture for Frank William Gee

    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.