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

CSV Export
  • Born 1892

    Died 1916

    Royal Navy A 4287 Royal Naval Reserve

    Royal Navy 4287A Seaman Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Trawler "Sarah Alice."

  • Born 1889

    Died 1916

    Royal Navy 15085 Corporal Royal Marine Light Infantry: Portsmouth Division: HMS BLACK PRINCE

  • 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

  • Born 1893

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy J8110

  • Profile picture for Reginald Sam Muggleton

    Born 1894

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy J16169

    Royal Navy Able Seaman HMS Mary Rose

  • Born 1890

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy 235993 Able Seaman

    Royal Navy 235993 Able Seaman HMS Derwent

  • Born 1884

    Died 1915

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Mate Fishing Fleet - Trawler "Excel" (Lowestoft)

  • Profile picture for Sidney Martin Lawrence

    Born 1875

    Died 1915

    Royal Navy 157995

    Other Empire Force 157995 Leading Boatman H.M. Coastguard H.M. Coast Guard Stn. (St. Ives, Cornwall)

  • Born 1880

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy 191768

    Royal Navy 191768 Petty Officer H.M.S. "Aboukir."

  • Profile picture for Joshua Harry Bish

    Born 1886

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy 228411

    Royal Navy 228411 Leading Signalman H.M.T.B. "4."

  • Born 1901

    Died 1963

    Royal Navy J55459

    Royal Navy J.55459 Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Orion

  • Born 1874

    Died 1914

    Other Empire Force Third Hand Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

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

  • Born 1871

    Died 1914

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Mate Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)

  • Born 1890

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy Z.X./519 Royal Naval Division

    Royal Navy Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Division

    Royal Navy Sub-Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

  • Born 1896

    Died 1916

    Royal Navy 5615DA Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Trawler "Corona."

    Royal Navy DA 5615 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve

  • Born 1887

    Royal Navy DA 15094 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve

  • Died 1916

    British Army G/3094 Private The Queen's Regiment

    British Army G/3094 Private The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

  • Died 1914

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Skipper Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)

  • Profile picture for Ernest Arthur Howard

    Born 1896

    Died 1919

    Royal Navy SD 2125 Royal Naval Reserve

    Royal Navy 2125/SD Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M.S. Halcyon

  • Profile picture for William Reginald Northcott

    Born 1895

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy K21489 Stoker 1st Class H.M.T.B. "4"

0 null