A victim of the bombardment in the early hours of 27th April, was Miss Ivy Edith Thorncroft aged 22 years. At the time Ivy was living at No.1 Upper Dumpton Park Drive.
“A flower cut off in the beautiful bloom of youth” words told by Rev. Dr. Nicholson who conducted the service “yet gone not to death but to life eternal“.
Crowds lined the route to the cemetery to pay their last respects to their fellow citizen who had fallen victim to the murderous designs of a ruthless enemy. Her escorts from her home were from the Navy: – Lieut – Commander Chipps, Lieut. Phillips and Sub Lieut. Cross.
Ivy was the daughter of a respected Ramsgate tradesman and Wesleyan lay preacher, she was also a popular member of the local ladies’ rink hockey team. At her graveside were her brother Private N.A. Thorncroft (County London Ambulance), Mr. John Newby (Uncle) and Lieut. A.T. Newby, Canadian Army (Cousin) and many more family members and friends. The inscription upon her memorial reads: – “In loving memory of our darling girl, killed in the bombardment 27th April 1917 aged 22 years”.
Funeral arrangements were carried out by W.P. Blackburn & Son.
Courtesy of the Ramsgate Historical Society