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 George Henry Edward Norris

    Born 1879

    Died 1916

    Royal Navy SD 2644 Royal Naval Reserve

    Royal Navy 2644/SD Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Trawler "Corona."

    Royal Navy 2644/SD Deck Hand. H.M. Trawler 'Corona'

  • Profile picture for Nicholas Charles Holyer

    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

  • Born 1889

    Royal Navy 16282 Royal Marine Light Infantry: Chatham Division

  • Profile picture for Charles Harold Evelyn Head

    Born 1882

    Died 1915

    Royal Navy

    Royal Navy Midshipman

    Royal Navy Sub Lieutenant

  • Profile picture for George Charles Brenchley

    Born 1885

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy 223932 Able Seaman HMS Aboukir

  • Born 1894

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy Acting Sub-Lieutenant

    Royal Navy Acting Sub Lieutenant HMS Good Hope

  • Born 1877

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy 166832

    Royal Navy 166832 Able Seaman HMS Vanguard

  • Profile picture for Alfred Roland Cook West

    Born 1892

    Died 1920

    Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)

    Other Empire Force Deck Hand Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler "Campanula" (Ramsgate)

    Royal Navy DA 14290 Deck Hand Royal Naval Reserve

  • Profile picture for Dudley Stuart

    Born 1883

    Died 1916

    Royal Navy Lieutenant

    Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander

    Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander HMS TURBULENT

  • Profile picture for Ernest James Cuddy

    Born 1887

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander

    Royal Navy Lieutenant

  • Profile picture for James Napoleon Gravenor Fuller

    Born 1887

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy 675 Royal Marines Band

    Royal Navy 13570 Royal Marine Light Infantry: Portsmouth Division

    Royal Navy 675 Musician Royal Marines Band - HMS Vanguard

  • Profile picture for William Huggins

    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

  • Born 1891

    Died 1914

    Royal Navy Lieutenant HMS Good Hope

  • 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

  • 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 1878

    Died 1915

    Royal Navy 8944 Royal Marine Light Infantry Chatham Division

    Royal Navy CH/8944 Sergeant Royal Naval Division

    Royal Navy CH/8944 Sergeant Royal Marine Light Infantry

  • Born 1896

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy Ch/18255 Private Royal Marine Light Infantry: Chatham Division HMS Laurentic

  • Profile picture for John James Brookshaw

    Born 1886

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy 226781 Boy 1st Class HMS Calliope

    Royal Navy 226781 Boy 2nd Class HMS Northampton

    Royal Navy 226781 Ordinary Seaman HMS Pembroke I

  • Profile picture for Archie Leonard Hennessey

    Born 1894

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy K21488

    Royal Navy K/21488 Stoker 1st Class H.M.T.B. "4."

  • 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