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
Born 1892
Died 1916
Royal Navy A 4287 Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 4287A Seaman Royal Naval Reserve - H.M. Trawler "Sarah Alice."
Born 1890
Died 1918
Other Empire Force Second Officer Mercantile Marine Reserve
Other Empire Force Second Officer Mercantile Marine Reserve - H.M. Fleet Messenger "Susetta."
Born 1893
Died 1917
Royal Navy 5914/A Able Seaman Royal Naval Reserve - H.M.S. "Orama."
Royal Navy A 5914 Seaman Royal Naval Reserve
Born 1880
Died 1918
Royal Navy 188897
Royal Navy 188897 Petty Officer Telegraphist H.M.S. "Cadmus."
Born 1869
Died 1919
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Mate Fishing Fleet - Trawler "Impulse" (Ramsgate)
Born 1894
Died 1920
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
British Army 68066 Sapper Royal Engineers Inland Water Transport
British Army WR/500082 Sapper Royal Engineers Inland Water Transport
…
Born 1862
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Able Seaman Mercantile Marine - S.S. "Planudes" (Middlesbrough)
Born 1896
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Fourth Hand Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)
Born 1871
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Mate Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Skipper Fishing Fleet - "Industry" (Ramsgate)
Born 1879
Died 1915
Other Empire Force Third Hand Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Third Hand Fishing Fleet - Smack "Ophir" (Ramsgate)
Born 1874
Died 1914
Other Empire Force Second Hand Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Second Hand Fishing Fleet - Smack "Our Tom" (Ramsgate)
Born 1872
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Mate Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler "Halcyon" (Grimsby)
Born 1862
Died 1915
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Fishing Fleet)
Other Empire Force Cook Fishing Fleet - Steam Trawler "Rio" (Grimsby)
Born 1886
Died 1918
Other Empire Force Mercantile Marine (Merchant Navy)
Other Empire Force Seaman Mercantile Marine - S.S. "Shadwell" (Sunderland)
Born 1899
Died 1917
Royal Navy J31184 Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Jessamine.
Born 1872
Died 1914
Royal Navy 163578
Royal Navy 163578 Chief Stoker (RFR/CH/A/2058). H.M.S. "Hawke."
Born 1890
Died 1918
Royal Navy 366197 Acting Ldg. Stoker HMS Antrim
Royal Navy 366197 Stoker Petty Officer HMS Q12
Royal Navy 366197 Petty Officer Stoker HMS Rhododendron
…
Born 1895
Died 1917
Royal Navy K21489 Stoker 1st Class H.M.T.B. "4"
Born 1886
Died 1917
Royal Navy T 3049 Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy 3049/T Stoker Royal Naval Reserve - H.M.T.B. "4."