‘The two images show guns defending the coast against further German bombardment of Thanet from the sea. Both images have a note on the back stating that the guns were located at Margate. I believe that the guns were located east of Cliftonville and near Foreness. None of the buildings shown in these photographs exist today.’
‘Thanet was bombarded by German destroyers on two occasions; once on the 25th of February 1917 and again on the 27th of April 1917. Three lives were lost at Broadstairs (at Reading Street) in the first raid* and another two lives were lost at Ramsgate in the second raid. Fortunately, there were no casualties from those raids at Margate. Although there was also damage to property, the loss of lives throughout Thanet from those raids were relatively minor compared with the heavy loss of life from enemy air raids.’
Image and text courtesy of James Brazier
*Further information received:
The three civilians who lost their lives during the first raid were Mrs Morgan and her two daughters, Phylis and Doris Morgan.