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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 1862
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Able Seaman Mercantile Marine - S.S. "Planudes" (Middlesbrough)
More about William A Cladingbowl -
Born 1898
Died 1917
Royal Navy K33899 Stoke 2nd Classr HMS Q12
More about Alfred Edmund Brenchley -
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Born 1889
Died 1920
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Third Hand Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler "Campanula" (Ramsgate)
More about John Saunders -
Born 1884
Died 1914
British Army L/7149 Private East Kent Regiment 1st Battalion
British Army L/7149 Private The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
More about George Barranger -
Born 1882
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Able Seaman Mercantile Marine - S.S. "Lewisham" (London)
More about Alfred Thomas Newport -
Born 1880
Died 1915
Other Empire Force Shipwright H.M. Dockyard
Royal Navy Shipwright H.M. Dockyard, Sheerness H.M.S. Princess Irene
More about Joseph Richard Inkerman Wigley -
Born 1896
Died 1915
Other Empire Force Deck Hand Mercantile Marine Reserve
Other Empire Force Deck Hand Mercantile Marine Reserve - HMS Marcella
More about John Edward Timms -
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)
More about James Frederick Cox -
Born 1869
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Skipper Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Skipper Fishing Fleet - Smack "Our Tom" (Ramsgate)
More about Albert Richard Larkins -
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Born 1878
Died 1916
Royal Navy 285854
Royal Navy 285854 Stoker Petty Officer 1st Class H.M.S. "Fortune"
More about Harry Reeves -
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Born 1872
Died 1914
Royal Navy 163578
Royal Navy 163578 Chief Stoker (RFR/CH/A/2058). H.M.S. "Hawke."
More about Sidney Charles Champs -
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Born 1896
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Fourth Hand Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)
More about William Thomas Willis -
Died 1915
Other Empire Force Established Skilled Labourer H.M. Dockyard
More about Henry Darling Brown -
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Born 1887
Died 1917
Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander
Royal Navy Lieutenant
More about Ernest James Cuddy -
Born 1884
Died 1918
Royal Navy 12926 Royal Marine Light Infantry: Portsmouth Division
Royal Navy PO/12926 Private Royal Marine Light Infantry: Portsmouth Division 4th Royal Marine Battalion
More about William Huggins