Welcome to the town page for Ramsgate. Explore your town map to discover people who lived in your town during the First World War.

At the outbreak of War 600 local men volunteered to be Special Constables at the Town Hall. Many recruiting meetings were held including one in September 1915 by Sgt Niemeyer; a wounded Canadian recovering in Ramsgate. Ramsgate people meet here every year to observe two minutes silence at 11am on 11th November.

Wilfred was a qualified Doctor when he enlisted in the RAMC in October 1914. He served in various locations and in 1917 his sister Lois volunteered for overseas service in France as a VAD nurse. Wilfred was killed in October 1917 whilst treating wounded men in the trenches.

Mr Frederick Taylor Blackburn lived in 7 Wellington Crescent. He served as a stretcher bearer at Ramsgate Station and Thanet Group of Hospitals. His role involved meeting the ambulance trains as they arrived at the Ramsgate Stations at any time of the day or night to assist moving the patients.

Much used during the War despite the steepness of the gradient and lack of room it was the closest to the harbour, wounded soldiers were brought here by ambulance train and to the Town Station (where Chatham Court flats are now).

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill was born in 1890; and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914.He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill was born in 1890; and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914.He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill was born in 1890; and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914.He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill was born in 1890; and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914.He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

On 17th December 1920 a sculpture called Destiny, by the sculptor Gilbert Bayes, was unveiled in Albion Gardens as the Ramsgate Peace Memorial. It was presented to the town by Dame Janet Stancomb-Wills.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill; was born in 1890, and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914. He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill; was born in 1890, and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914. He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill was born in 1890; and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914.He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

James Burke of 4 Newcastle Hill was born in 1890; and went to St Paul’s School. He joined the East Kent’s as a Territorial when he was 18. When war was declared he was mobilised and went to France in November 1914.He was killed in action 7th June 1915.

gained local notoriety in September 1915 when it was reported that the empty hotel was being used by German spies; a search by armed police found no evidence. In October 1915 it became a Canadian Hospital with 300 rooms.

There was a significant air raid from a Zeppelin on the 17th May 1915, the image shows the damage done to the Imperial Bazaar at 6 Albion Hill, but the damage at the rear of the property was said to have been big enough to put a fire engine into.

There was a significant air raid from a Zeppelin on the 17th May 1915, the image shows the damage done to the Imperial Bazaar at 6 Albion Hill, but the damage at the rear of the property was said to have been big enough to put a fire engine into.

There was a significant air raid from a Zeppelin on the 17th May 1915, the image shows the damage done to the Imperial Bazaar at 6 Albion Hill, but the damage at the rear of the property was said to have been big enough to put a fire engine into.

Linda Richardson has submitted some pictures and a rare letter from the trenches by her Grandfather ‘Charles Henry Parrott’. The photo below shows a picture of the Parrott family which was taken around the same time as the writing of the letter: November 3rd 1916.

The following images show the Certificates both Bertie and Herbert received. The first is addressed to Bertie Parrott, presented on Empire Day 1916.

The second is addressed to Herbert Parrott which acknowledges his help in the Christmas Day Gifts project which saw gifts delivered to Sailors and Soldiers away from home. The third is also addressed to Herbert for Empire Day 1915 again for the help in sending comfort and happiness to the Sailors and Soldiers fighting in WW1.

Also included here, is a letter which was written from the trenches by Linda’s Grandfather and Bertie and Herbert’s Father. The letter gives us insight into what life was like for Soldiers fighting in the Somme.

Linda is looking for any information regarding what regiment Charles Henry Parrot was in.

All information and pictures are courtesy of Linda Richardson

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Airman 2nd Class Harold Gilbert White

Son of: Mr. & Mrs. C. H. White, of ‘Lancaster House’, High Street, Broadstairs

Emigrated to: Australia – Returned to England at the end of 1915

Husband of: Ethel Caroline White, of 22 Penshurst Road, Ramsgate

Service Number: 42201

Branch of Service: Royal Flying Corps

Date of death: 30th April, 1917

Died: At the Aylesbury Military Hospital, Buckinghamshire

Age: 35 yrs

Burial location: St Peter's Churchyard

Grave Ref: 19, 20

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Private Francis Joseph Wales

Husband of: Kathleen Mary, Wales of 31 Bloomsbury Street, Ramsgate

Service Number: G/9882

Unit: 10th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)

Date of death: 7th June, 1917

Age: 28 yrs

Burial Location: Voormezeele Enclosure No. 3

Grave Ref: XIII E, 5

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Private F. C. Stokes

Son of: John and Fanny Stokes of 4 Tabernacle Cottages, Northwood, Ramsgate, Kent

Service Number: 31291

Unit: 63rd Battalion, Royal Naval Division - Machine Gun Corps

Date of death: 28th November, 1918

Age: 23 yrs

Burial Location: Etaples Military Cemetery

Grave Ref: LI, C, 19

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Private Thomas Simpson

Born: Canning Town, London

Son of: Henry and Ellen Simpson of ‘Star Cottage’, Westwood, Ramsgate, Kent

Enlisted: Canterbury

Service Number: L/8223

Unit: 'B' Company, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent.Regiment)

Age: 27 yrs

Memorial Location: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Ref: Panel 12 and 14

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Private William John Sheperdon

Son of: Mr. Sheperdon & Mrs A. A. Sheperdon, of 1 Fern Cottages, Westwood, Ramsgate, Kent

Employed by: Mr. Brockman, Market Gardner of Westwood

Enlisted: July 1917

Service Number: 26614

Unit: East Surrey Regiment

Secondary Unit: posted to 1st/2.3rd Battalion, London Regiment

Date of death: 9th May, 1918

Age: 18 yrs

Memorial Location: Pozieres Memorial

Ref: Panel 44 and 45

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Lance Corporal Walter Denmee

Husband of: Ellen F. Denmee of 30 Denmark Road, Ramsgate, Kent

Service Number: 101519

Unit: Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry)

Date of death: 13th July, 1917 (In Brighton Hospital (VAD))

Burial location: St Peter's Churchyard

Grave Ref: 19, 25

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Private Frederick Holness Castle

Place of birth: Ramsgate

Brother of: Mrs. Charlotti S. Chapman of 1 Paramor Cottages, Westwood, Ramsgate, Kent

Enlisted: Ramsgate

Service Number: G/8455

Unit: 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Date of death: 3rd July, 1916

Age: 32

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial

Grave Ref: Pier and Face 5, D

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Gunner W Brenchley

Son of: Mrs. Brenchley and the late Mr. Brenchley

Husband of: Mrs. R.L. Gunner William Brenchley

Address: 2 Tabernacle Cottages, Northwood, Ramsgate

Service Number: 189070

Unit: 109th Battery Royal Field Artillery

Date of Death: 7th June, 1919

Age: 32

Burial location: St Peter's Churchyard

Grave Ref: 20, 66

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Broadstairs War Memorial WWI Casualty list:

Gunner John Harold Byng

Address: Beacon Lodge, St Peter's, Broadstairs, Kent

Husband of: May Harriett Byng, of Somerset House, Albion Road, Ramsgate, Kent

Service Number: 30146

Unit: 55th Battery, Royal Field Artillery

Date of Death: 9th February, 1916

Age: 30 yrs

Cause: Pneumonia

Burial location: St. Peter's Churchyard

Grave Ref: 18, 14

Research courtesy of John T Williams

Private Douglas J. Dray (named after his uncle) grew up in Ramsgate and enlisted as part of the Royal Fusiliers.

Douglas was killed in action on the 24th April 1917, age 19. He is buried in Chili trench Cemetery in France.

Pictured below is the certificate that was presented to Douglas’ sister, Rose Foreman. Rose was still at school in Ospringe when she received this certificate which was dated 1919, during the Armistice. Rose worked at St Lawrences as a housemaid and went on to have a son Derek. Rose met Derek’s father, at St Lawrences where he was working as a handy man.

Image and text courtesy of Derek Dray.

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Taylor Family: ‘Sydney Taylor’: Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

Sydney can be seen in the picture below with his brothers Frank and Percy.

Sid served in the Royal Horse Artillery as can be seen below:

Sid also wrote a postcard to his friend 'Dusty' Miller in 1919 (See 360RAM)

Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Taylor Family: ‘Charles Taylor’: Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

Charles Taylor was the youngest of the brothers. He enlisted in 1917, to serve in France with the Dragoon Guards. He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and then the Tank Corps.

He too was to see service in India before leaving the service in 1926.

Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Taylor Family: ‘Frank Taylor 1895 – 1980 and his wife Irene Taylor’: Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

Frank Taylor was Ken Taylor’s father. He was born in 1895 and lived with his family in St David’s Road, Ramsgate. At the age of 18 he was working as an apprentice butcher in the London Central Meat Company in Broadstairs High Street (which is still trading today) when he joined the Royal Artillery in 1914.

Below is a picture of three of the brothers, Frank in the middle with Syd and Percy.

He is also pictured here on horseback aged 19.

Frank saw active service during the Gallipoli Campaign (also known as the Dardanelles Campaign) against the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and in Mesopotamia. He recalled incidents of the Gurkha soldiers sneaking up during the night to cut the ligaments of the Turk’s horses to hamper their progress.

Frank returned home and went on to raise three children with his wife Irene. He went on to become manager of the same butcher’s shop where he had worked before the war (see below: Frank is on the right closest to the window) and he was later able to open his own shop in St Peter’s in 1934. Frank died in 1980

Ken’s mother Irene worked as a dressmaker in Margate and, aged 15 remembered Zeppelins coming in over the town.

Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

From our ‘Family histories’ section: The Taylor Family: ‘Percy Taylor’: Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

Percy can be seen in the picture below with his brothers Frank and Sydney.

He served with the Kent Cyclists in Europe as well as on the North West Frontier in India.

Percy returned home from the war but later died from wounds inflicted during the war. He was buried with his father in St Lawrence Churchyard.

Courtesy of Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Memory Book – Memories recalled by Mr Ken Taylor

The postcard below was sent 21st August 1914. Perhaps the author is writing to someone who has enlisted in the army and won’t be seeing him again for a while.

The transcribed text reads:

‘Dear Bert hope you arrived home safe I missed you after you had gone back I stopped on the pier for an hour after you had gone, then came back to Ramsgate. I am going over to see Edie today Friday. Don’t forget Sunday write soon, love Violet’

‘Mr Cresswell, 2 Loftus villas Loftus road Shepherds Bush, London’

Courtesy of D Price

This is a French souvenir postcard and shows the amount of parcels and treats which were sent to the troops abroad. The card was sent 15th March 1915

The transcribed text reads:

‘Dear Louie. Just a line am quite well and still merry and Bright. Have received parcel quite safe thanking you very much. Love to one and all will write later on. Boby. P.S. don’t forget the cigarettes’

‘Miss S Leornwell, 34 Margate Rd, Ramsgate, Kent’

Courtesy of D Price

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

The grave of Gladys Eveline Saxby & her brother James are located in the Family Memorial at Ramsgate Cemetery. The siblings were killed on Sunday the 19th March 1916, at just after 2p.m.

Gladys and James were on their way to Sunday school when two seaplanes were spotted above; not knowing the danger, the children stood and watched. The bombs fell on St. Luke's Avenue just passed the junction with Dumpton Park Road. In all 10 bombs were dropped on Ramsgate during this raid. Many children were badly injured and five children and two adults were killed:

Mrs G.M. Bishop aged 23 and Harry Herbert Divers, a Taxi driver aged 49. Also Gladys Saxby aged 6, James Saxby aged 4, Herbert Gibbens, Frank Hardwick and Ernest Philpott aged 12

Courtesy of the Ramsgate Historical Society

Jack Austen Luck: (Service No.1302). Pilot under training - Royal Flying Corps. 06 Training Reserve Squadron.

Jack died in a training accident on the 3rd November 1916 aged 20. His memorial can be found at Ramsgate Cemetery.

Courtesy of the Ramsgate Historical Society

This censored postcard dates from after the Armistice and reminds us that military service continued on as the 11^th November 1918 only represented an Armistice – not the final peace. This card was sent 11th December 1918

The transcribed text reads:

"My dear M, I was so pleased to receive another letter from you last night am glad to hear you are still improving. We are having lovely weather here. today I could almost fancy it is spring instead of winter. Sorry to hear Billy is poorly trust it is only a cold and that by now he is improving. My best again to all friends and ... to yourself ... Yours And"

‘Mrs A D Hutchinson, ‘Hillside’, Minster, Ramsgate, England’

Courtesy of D Price

This is an example of a standard service issue response card. This particular card was sent 16th December 1917.

We have not ascertained who Dudley was but a kind censor allowed him to bend the rules and passed the card even though Dudley had written his Xmas greetings on the bottom of the card in contravention of the instructions.

Courtesy of D Price

This postcard is part of a series of correspondence (see also 145RAM below.) In this card, Sgt Burchett is expressing his frustration that he is still waiting to come home. The card was sent 4th March 1919

The transcribed text reads:

"Dear Sadie, Just a line hoping you are keeping quite well and fit. No word of getting away yet, but will do someday I suppose. Hope johnnee is well and going along A.I. Yours Best Sergt. R Burchett"

‘Mrs J Wood, 56 Margate Road, Ramsgate, Kent’

This second card is also from Sgt Burchett who was still away, a reminder that the soldiers were still stationed abroad after the Armistice on 11^th November 1918. We believe that Sgt Burchell was part of the Army of Occupation in Germany. This card was sent 9th May 1919

The transcribed text reads:

"yours received will be writing later. Hope all are well and how is John is he demobbed yet. yours Bob. R.E Burchett. Sgt."

‘Mrs J Wood, 56 Margate Road, Ramsgate, Kent’

Courtesy of D Price

'Images of the front and back of a postcard showing wounded Belgian soldiers at the Bethel in Ramsgate. The postcard is date stamped 8th November 1914 and the building still stands proud overlooking Ramsgate Harbour. The reference in the message to G-ships maybe to German-ships as the postcard was sent to Lowestoft, about ten miles down the coast from Yarmouth which war shelled, not very effectively, by German warships on November the 3rd 1914 just 5 days before the card was posted.'

As far as can be made out, the transcribed text reads:

'Many happy returns of the day. These are some of the wounded Belgium soldiers who are being … at the bethel. Several of them have been up here so beginning to seem like old friends now. Did you see anything of the G. Ships … … . Love to you… & all good wishes … X...’

Below is an excerpt from an article written by James Brazier about the Bethel and the Royal Sailors Rest in WW1.

The Ramsgate VAD Hospital at the Royal Sailors’ Rest in WWI

Next to the Royal Hotel on Harbour Parade stands an imposing building which proudly bears its name Royal Sailors’ Rest in large letters across its elegant front.   Shortly after the start of the First World War, this building was to serve as an important VAD (Voluntary Air Detachment) temporary hospital and the above postcard shows a number of wounded Belgian soldiers in its chapel (known as the Bethel), which had been converted into a ward.  Part of the message on the back of the above postcard reads: “These are some of the wounded Belgian soldiers who are being nursed at the Bethel.  Several of them have been up here so begin to seem like old friends now.”    The postmark shows that the postcard was sent from Ramsgate to an address in Suffolk on 8^th November 1914.

According to Kent’s Care for the Wounded, published in 1915, the Wounded Allies Relief Committee had arranged for the reception of wounded Belgians and had taken over the Royal Sailors’ Rest early in October 1914.  The owners of the building, the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society, had made it available for use as a hospital with accommodation for 72 beds.   Within a few days, the first wounded Belgian soldiers to be sent to the Bethel arrived on 10^th October 1914.  More wounded Belgians arrived at the Bethel in the following days whilst others were taken to temporary hospitals at Margate and Broadstairs.   The East Kent Times carried reports in early October 1914 of the honour which was extended to the Thanet towns on receiving wounded soldiers from the ‘brave little country’ (as Belgium was commonly referred to at that perilous time in its history).

The Ramsgate VAD (officially known as Kent 2) was formed from the Ramsgate Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade.  It was registered in 1910 and held the distinction of being the first women’s VAD detachment throughout the whole of Kent.   Although the temporary hospital’s first patients were wounded Belgian soldiers, it was not long before the hospital received a number of British soldiers who had suffered ‘Blighty’ wounds.  Indeed, by the summer of 1915, it is reported that a total of 324 patients had passed through its wards.

There are around 20 wounded Belgian soldiers and three nursing staff shown in the above postcard and it is likely that the photograph was taken around the middle of October 1914.

Image and text courtesy of James Brazier

Clarice Spratling was born in Ramsgate and lived for sometime at 1 Elmstone Road, Ramsgate.

Clarice volunteered as a VAD in 1915 and served abroad in France. Somehow Clarice found time to keep a diary about her experiences, and this has been transcribed by Clarice’s great niece the artist Dawn Cole.

Image and text courtesy of Dawn Cole

Pictured here is bomb damage to the Bull & George Hotel in Ramsgate High Street. This was the result of a Zeppelin raid on 17^th May 1915.

Image courtesy of the Ramsgate Collection

*New information below courtesy of the Ramsgate Historical Society

Ramsgate woke early on the 17th May 1917, at 1.47a.m. to be precise. A Zeppelin, flying at a high altitude, dropped over 20 bombs on the town. Two lives were lost from Hythe; John Smith aged 42, a visitor to the town who was in room 12 of the Bull and George Hotel in Ramsgate High Street and Florence Earle Lamont aged 43. Both were from 21A Hythe Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey. The hotel itself was wrecked and neighboring businesses were also badly damaged.