Lives of the First World War
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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.
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British Army S/840 Private East Kent Regiment
British Army CR/840 Private East Kent Regiment
More about H F Pullman -
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Born 1887
Died 1915
Royal Navy Shipwright H.M. Dockyard Sheerness H.M.S. Princess Irene
More about Hilary James Bert Farley -
Born 1890
Died 1918
Royal Navy RME/1202(S) Private Royal Marine Engineers
More about Percy William Boughton -
Born 1899
Died 1917
Royal Navy J31184 Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Jessamine.
More about Frederick Stephen Ebbett -
Born 1896
Died 1917
Royal Navy Ch/18255 Private Royal Marine Light Infantry: Chatham Division HMS Laurentic
More about Frederick Arthur Moat Went -
Born 1893
Died 1917
Royal Navy SS111627 Stoker 1st Class. H.M.T.B. "4"
More about Stephen William Judge -
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Born 1896
Died 1918
Royal Navy K43864 Stoker 2nd Class HMS "Pembroke II"
Royal Navy K43684 Stoker 2nd Class H.M.S. "Cassandra"
More about Richard Harold Partridge -
Born 1894
Died 1916
Royal Navy J9897 Leading Telegraphist HMS Hampshire
More about John Victor Bear -
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Born 1896
Died 1915
Royal Navy J20194
Royal Navy J/20194 Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Pembroke
More about Edwin Joseph Eustace Belsey -
Born 1893
Died 1917
Royal Navy K15073
Royal Navy K/15073 Stoker 1st Class H.M.T.B. "4."
More about Richard Stanley Rogers -
Born 1883
Died 1916
Royal Navy Lieutenant
Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander
Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander HMS TURBULENT
More about Dudley Stuart -
Born 1890
Died 1917
Other Empire Force 2nd Steward Mercantile Marine Reserve
Other Empire Force 2nd Steward Mercantile Marine Reserve - H.M. Yacht "Kethailes."
More about Horace Porcher -
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Born 1884
Died 1917
Royal Navy 212421 Able Seaman HMS Itchen
More about Walter John Sutton -
Born 1897
Died 1918
Royal Navy J21570 Signalman HM Submarine G12
More about Harold Owen Alfred Bear -
Born 1898
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Third Hand Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)
More about William Ward -
Born 1891
Died 1917
Royal Navy 239183 Boy 2nd Class HMS Ganges
Royal Navy 239183 Leading Seaman H.M.T.B. "4."
More about Walter Flintham