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 1890

    Died 1918

    Other Empire Force Second Officer Mercantile Marine Reserve

    Other Empire Force Second Officer Mercantile Marine Reserve - H.M. Fleet Messenger "Susetta."

  • Profile picture for Henry George Ebbett

    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)

  • Profile picture for Frederick Stephen Ebbett

    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

  • Profile picture for William Reginald Northcott

    Born 1895

    Died 1917

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

  • Profile picture for Michael Berry

    Born 1886

    Died 1917

    Royal Navy T 3049 Royal Naval Reserve

    Royal Navy 3049/T Stoker Royal Naval Reserve - H.M.T.B. "4."