Great War dead buried in Ramsgate
Original Register published in 1931 and subsequent changes have been incorporated when it was reprinted in 1992.
Ramsgate and St Lawrence Cemetery
26th May 1917 - torpedo boat accidental explosion in Ramsgate Harbour.
This took place at about 8.15am. Nearly all of the windows of Nelson Crescent, Sion Hill and York Terrace were smashed. The shock wave brought down Tramway wires. Part of the boat came down in Albert Street with another part in Queen Street. Smaller pieces hit roofs in Alpha Road and others came down in Clarendon Gardens. The torpedo boat was wrecked and nearly submerged, with 14 of the crew missing. It was caused by the explosion of a torpedo being accidentally fired, whilst the torpedo tube was in the fore to fat position.
Thirteen men listed below are buried in Ramsgate Cemetery.
One man, Leading Seaman Frederick James WELFORD, J8110, age 23 is buried at Great Yarmouth (Gorleston) Cemetery, J. 24. 632., Norfolk, Son of James and Julia Welford, of 15, Grape Passage, Reading; husband of Jessie G. Welford, of 16, Albemarle Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. His wife was living at 11 Denmark Road, Ramsgate at the time of the accident.
Lorries carrying the dead from No.4. Torpedo boat
Link to picture of HMTB No.4. in 1906
| Last name | Initials | Rank/Position | Unit / No | Date of death | Grave ref. | Other information |
| BEER | Stanley Victor John | Able Seaman. | J/20874. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 20, son of Thomas E and Elizabeth BEER of 1 Cumberland Place, Hotwells, Bristol |
| BERRY | Michael | Stoker | 3049/T. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | son of Mrs BERRY, Bride Street, Wexford, Ireland. |
| BISH | Joshua Harry | Leading Signalman | 228411. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 30, son of Caleb and Hannah BISH of East Grinstead, Sussex. Served in operations in the Persian Gulf (1919-14) |
| BROOKSHAW | John James | Able Seaman. | 226781. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 36, son of William BROOKSHAW of Plymouth and the late Annie BROOKSHAW |
| FLINTHAM | Walter | Leading Seaman | 239183. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 25, Grandmother Mrs Sarah MACDONALD, 1 Gibson Terrace, Chiltern Street, Hull |
| HENNESSEY | Archibald Leonard | Stoker 1st Class | K/21488. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Killed by an explosion. Age 23, son of William and Edith HENNESSEY of 3 Naval Bowers, High Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth |
| HEYWORTH | John Bruce | Able Seaman | J/17840. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 22, son of Samuel and Sarah Ann HEYWORTH of 3 Dean Head Summit, Littleborough, Lancashire. |
| HOCKING | Richard Henry | Leading Stoker | 306858 R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 33, husband of Lizzie HOCKING, Port Isaac, Cornwall |
| JUDGE | Stephen William | Stoker1st Class | 111627. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 24, son of Elizabeth JUDGE, 1B Crawford Street, Rochdale, Lancashire |
| MARTIN | Thomas C | Able Seaman. | J/12206. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 22, son of Jane ROSTRON (formerly MARTIN) of 50 Holmsley Street, Burnley, Lancashire and the late Daniel MARTIN |
| NORTHCOT(E)T | William Reginald | Stoker 1st Class | K/21489. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Age 22, son of Mrs NORTHCOTE, 5 Hoe Place, Plymouth. |
| ROGERS | Richard S | Stoker 1st Class | K/15073. R.N. H.M.T.B. "4" | 26th May 1917 | LA | Son of Emma ROGERS, 1 Rock Road, Mid Norton, near Bath, Somerset. |
| STRONG | Albert Henry | Ordinary Telegraphist | T/43722. R.N. H.M.S. Attentive ll | 26th May 1917 | LA | Killed by an explosion. Age 17, son of Albert Henry and Jane Emma STRONG of 10 Furness Road, Eastbourne, Sussex |
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Ramsgate and St Lawrence Cemetery
ADAMS Frank William, Hired Shipwright. H.M.S Princess Irene, H M Dockyard (Sheerness). 27th May 1915. DA 83.
NOTE: unable to find burial plot.
ADAMS J T. Private. 6928. 1st Battalion, The Buffs. 1st July 1915. AB 155.
Information provided by Laura Probert:
John Thomas Adams was the first Ramsgate man to be gassed.
AITCHISON D L . Private.6883. 1st Battalion, Canadian Inf. (Western Ontario Regiment). 10th July 1915. GC 93.
BAKER B R. Captain and QMR. Canadian Army Medical Corps. 7th May 1917. LB 16. Died of pneumonia, age 39, son of C H Coryndon BAKER of Hook, Hampshire, England. Served in France with the 22nd Battalion Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment).
BAYERS R E. Driver. 248621. 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. 5th April 1919. D 562.
BELSEY E J E, Ordinary Seaman, J/20194 R.N. H.M.S. Pembroke. 29th June 1915. BB 473. Age 18, son of Lucy Hannah BELSEY of 40 Duncan Road, Ramsgate and the late Edwin Isaac BELSEY.
BENOIT Joseph H. Seaman. 2188/X H.M.S. Ceto, Newfoundland Royal Navy Reserve. 4th May 1915. EA 150. Accidentally shot whilst sinking mines. Age 19, son of John and Annie BENOIT of Cape St George, Newfoundland.
From Jasen Benwah, Cape St George, Newfoundland :
I just wanted to thank you for posting the photo of my Great Uncle Joseph H Benoit's grave stone. It is great to see that. I have my own page dedicated to him, it is here at: http://www.benoitfirstnation.ca/joseph_h_benoit.htm
The other item worth mentioning was that not only was Great Uncle Joseph H Benoit accidentally killed by his best friend Great Uncle Johnny Joe Benoit (John Edward Benoit) but they were raised as step brothers and came from the same family in Cape St George.
The other brother who was killed as Great Uncle Victor Benoit who died Oct 12, 1915 when his ship hit a mine. He is buried at the Hamilton Road Cemetery in Deal, Kent, England. His link on my page is: http://www.benoitfirstnation.ca/victor_j_benoit.htm
The follow information was provided by Laura Probert:
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"Service Tragedy"
BENTLEY David Benjamin. Major. 2nd Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps. 5th April 1917. LA 657. Died of nephritis, age 52, son of John and Julia Rogers BENTLEY; husband of Alice S BENTLEY of 197 Wellington St, Sarnia, Ontario. Gassed at the 2nd Battle of Ypres 1915.
BLOWER William, Australian Munition Worker, 2276, 26th July 1917, KC 358.
The follow information was provided by Laura Probert:
Thanet Advertiser, August 11th 1917. William Blower, aged 56, died in Ramsgate General Hospital.
BOSHER S A, Able Seaman, Z/4268. R.N.V.R. H.M. Yacht Ceto, 9th November 1918, LA 616, Age 31. Husband of Minnie BERRY (formerly BOSHER) of 24 Alma Road, Boundary Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
BOUGHTON P W. Private. R.M.E. /1202(S) Royal Marine Engineers. 30th July 1918. D 633. Son of Mrs L BOUGHTON of 36 Winstanley Crescent, Ramsgate, Kent.
BOWNESS F W. Sapper. WR/32337. Inland Waterways and Docks, Royal Engineers. 12th January 1918. LB 47
BRACE William James, Seaman. 1479/X. H.M. Drifter Rooke, Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve. 3rd August 1916. LA 593. Accidentally drowned at sea. Age 20, son of Richard and Mary Brace, of Chance Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland.
Transcript of inquest as reported in The East Kent Times and District Advertiser, August 16th 1916.
Link to Photograph on Canadian Veterans website:
www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/photos&casualty=365991
BRETT W J, Serjeant. 1715. 108th Protection Coy. Royal Defence Corps. 23rd May 1917. LB 12. Volunteer Long Service medal. Age 43, husband of E S BRETT of 78 Winstanley Crescent, Ramsgate, Kent.
CARR A G. Gunner. 283425. 2nd/1st South Midland Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. 10th February 1918. LB 48
CASPALL W C, Jun. Reserve Attendant. M/19971. Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve. H.M.S. Crescent. 30th November 1918. BC 176
COOPER Ernest James, Private, 243689. 1st/5th Battlion, The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment. 5th March 1919. LB 52. Age 38, son of Joshua and Annie COOPER
CURRAN James Patrick. Seaman. 1604/X. H.M. Drifter Arcady, Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve. 14th October 1915. EA 242. Accidentally drowned. Age 23, son of Mr and Mrs Patrick CURRAN of Ferryland, Newfoundland.
DEBLING (served as PHILPOTT), J A, Private, G/4765. 2nd/3rd Battalion, The Buffs. 22nd August 1917. LB 9. Age 40, son of Arthur and Matilda DEBLING of Ramsgate.
DIKE F J, Boatswain, 564537. H.M. Yacht Ceto Mercantile Marine Reserve. 20th November 1918. LA 597. Age 34, husband of Edith Rose DIKE of 5 Portland Court, Ramsgate, Kent.
DIXON H O, Lieutenant, 4th Battalion, The Buffs. 8th November 1918. G 220.
ELLETT William, Rifleman, 4598. 1st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. 9th October 1916. LA662. Age 20.
ELMORE Henry Nathan, Private, TR9/7128. 52nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. died at home (Ramsgate, Kent), of Influenza, 6th November 1918. GC 24.
1911 Census - age 23, living at 43 Townley Street, Ramsgate, Kent, occupation carpenter, with his father John William ELMORE (age 61), grocers assistant and his mother Elizabeth Mary ELMORE (age 59).
1914 22nd January - marriage - Henry Nathan ELMORE to Ethel Annie BAKER at Cavendish Church, Ramsgate, Kent, by the Rev T Hancocks.
1915 March Quarter Thanet - birth - Henry John Nathan ELMORE to Henry Nathan & Ethel ELMORE
1916 December Quarter Thanet - death - Ethel A ELMORE, age 32.
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The follow information was provided by Laura Probert:
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"THE EPIDEMIC - A stricken household"
ELVIN Arthur, Gunner, 169013. "C" Battery, 186th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. 1st September 1918. LB50.Age 28, husband of Catherine MOSS (formerly ELVIN) of 83 Devonshire Road, Holloway, London.
EPPS Henry, Private, T/436719. M.T.Company, Royal Army Service Corps. 1st November 1918. LB 51.Age 43, son of Henry EPPS of Ash, Kent; husband of Rose Annie EPPS of 4 Syndale Place, Avenue Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
EUDEN Alfred Ernest, Corporal, 208569. Inland Waterways and Docks, Royal Engineers. 6th January 1919. D 656. Age 22, son of George William and Elizabeth EUDEN of 70 Boundary Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
EUDEN Edward Walter, Private, 93881. 2nd/1st East Riding Yeomanry. 16th February 1918. D 656. Age 19, son of George William and Elizabeth EUDEN of 70 Boundary Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
FAIMA A J. Private. 6286. 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regt. 21st February 1917. LB 14.
FARLEY H J B, Hired Shipwright, H M Dockyard (Sheerness), 27th May 1915. GC 90
FAST Frances Vener, Deck Hand, 3246/SD. R.N.R. H.M.S. Acteon. 26th February 1919. LA 598. Son of Thomas and Mary Ann FAST of 3 Dove Cottages, Packers Lane, Ramsgate, Kent.
FLYNN Harold John. Probationary Flight Officer. R.N.A.S. 5th July 1917. EA 332. Age 23, son of James J and Joeanna A FLYNN of 294 Simcoe St, Niagara Falls, Ontario.
GAMMON Walter Spencer, Private, 6278154. 1st Battalion, The Buffs, 26th November 1920, LB 53. Age 29, son of Peter Spencer GAMMON and Caroline GAMMON of St Jean, Cottage Road, Ramsgate
GEE F W, 2nd Hand. 2592/SA. R.N.R. H.M.S. Attentive ll. 19th December 1917. LA 596. Age 47, husband of Martha POTTLE (formerly GEE) of 41 St Lukes Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent.
St Luke's Church, St Luke's Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent
GIFFARD W R J. Driver. 49004. 5th Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. 8th May 1917. LB 13.
GRAHAM John MacAlpine, Company Serjeant Major, 2604065. 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, 9th August 1921, age 38, LB, 69, Accidentally killed on duty, husband of Harriet GRAHAM of 24 Vale Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
GREEN Frank Vernon, Rifleman.5840. First Surrey Rifles.7th October 1916. B 889. Died of wounds. Age 23, son of Mrs A M GREEN of 31 Albert Road, Ramsgate, Kent
HARRISON A, Seaman, 5542/A. R.N.R. H.M.S. President lll, 1st November 1918. LA 617. Age 23, husband of H DIVERS (formerly HARRISON) of St Davids Villa, 50 South Eastern Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
HAWARD R C, Private, 3947. 1st/5th Battalion, The Buffs. 1st May 1916. CC 542
HERITAGE William Joseph. Lance Corporal. 9454. 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. 18th March 1915. LC 347. Mentioned in Despatches. Died of wounds. Age 28, son of William and Martha HERITAGE; husband of Eliza Lily HERITAGE of Highfield, Margate Road, Ramsgate
HEWITT H W R, Stoker 2nd Class. K/51726. R.N. H.M.S. Pembroke. 11th June 1918. F 642
HOLLANDS W A, Rifleman. 372785. Post Office Rifles. 30th October 1919. KB 516. Age 25, son of James Arthur and Mary Jane HOLLANDS of 5 Cannonbury Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
HOLYER N C. Ordinary Seaman. 923464. H.M. Yacht Ceto Mercantile Marine Reserve. 7th November 1918. AB 89. Age 32, son of Charles HOLYER; husband of Henrietta HOLYER of 1 Muir Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
NOTE: unable to find burial plot.
HOWARD E A, Deck Hand, 2125/SD. R.N.R. H.M.S. Halcyon, 1st March 1919. LA 599. Age 24, son of Mr and Mrs HOWARD of Ramsgate; husband of Nellie Maud HOWARD of 4 Newcastle Hill, King Street, Ramsgate, Kent.
IRVINE J. Lieutenant. R.N.R. H.M. Trawler Corona. 23rd March 1916. LA 592.
Information provided by Laura Probert: Lt J Irvine RNR came from Perth in Australia.
ISAACS G W Trimmer. 954038. H.M.S. Orotava Mercantile Marine Reserve. 17th September 1918. D 604.
JONES T C, Boy ll, J/92056. R.N. H.M.S. Ganges lll, 23rd November 1918. GB 543
JORDAN T K , Private, 7868306. Tank Corps, 28th January 1925. LB 71. Age 33, son of William Thomas JORDAN of 2 St Martins Lane, Littlehampton, Sussex.
JUDGE George, 2nd Hand, 2322/SA. R.N.R. H.M.S. Stephen Furness, 15th September 1917, age 38. LA 665. Son of George JUDGE of Maidstone, Kent; husband of Florence JUDGE of 27 Avenue Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
Information provided by Laura Probert:
George Judge died in an
KAVANAGH John William. Flight Lieutenant. Royal Flying Corps. 10th March 1918. EA 301. Age 19, son of Michael and Agnes KAVANAGH of Claremont, Cape Province, South Africa. Educated at Rondebosch Boys High School.
KNIGHT Charles Henry, Private, 642066. Canadian Army Medical Corps. 10th July 1917. LB 10. Accidentally drowned. Age 42, husband of Charlotte KNIGHT of 35 Westmoreland Street, Hull, Yorkshire, England.
LEE Elsie May, Worker. 44400. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, attached R.E. Record Office.1st November 1918. B 1047. Age 24, daughter of John E and Grace Lydia LEE of 95 Winstanley Crescent, Ramsgate, Kent.
LONG A J, Private. 4173. 7th Battalion, The Buffs. 6th October 1916. LA 661.
LUCK J A. Corporal. 1302. 6th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. 3rd November 1916. DC 297.
NOTE: unable to find burial plot.
MacKINNON Duncan. Deck Hand. 1145. R.N.R. H.M. Trawler Corona. 23rd March 1916. LA 621. Killed by mine explosion. Age 22, son of Finlay and Mary MacKINNON of Bernera, Lochmaddy, Isle of North Ulst.
MacLEAN G T G. Serjeant. 22574. 2nd Reserve Battalion, Royal Engineers. 4th February 1917. LB 15.
MARSH E Private. 2360. Surrey Yeomanry. 25th September 1916. LA 660.
NORRIS G H E. Deck Hand. 2644/SD. R.N.R. H.M. Trawler Corona. 6th February 1916. LA 622.
OSBORNE H C B, Major. 27th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. 28th June 1916. LA 655.
PAUL J, Gunner, 300529. 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, 22nd August 1917, LB 8.
PEARSE A E. Private. 400450. T.S. Canadian Army Medical Corps. 8th December 1915. LA 658. Died of pneumonia, age 41, son of James Ibert PEARSE of Barnstaple; husband of Helen Lucy PEARSE of Rowena, Westward Ho, Devon, England.
PEARSON M C, Steward, G/4229. Womens Royal Naval Service. 4th December 1918. KC 419.
PHILPOTT see DEBLING
PICKWORTH W, Private, 9594. The Buffs transferred to (432933) 426th Agricultural Company Labour Corps. 29th April 1918. D 668
POLSON A J, Private, 721948. R.D. Canadian Machine Gun Corps, 1st September 1917. LA 664.
PRICE C L. Lieutenant, Royal Air Force. 11th May 1918. LA 626.
SANDOM William Ernest, Lieutenant, 32nd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).10th November 1918, Age 27. Husband of Florence SANDOM, 74 Ellington Road, Ramsgate, Kent. Buried at St Sever Cemetery Extension, S.V.K.14., Rouen, France.
SCHOOLING Paul Sydney Bedford, Captain, Lancashire Fusiliers, 13th Battalion attached 9th Battalion. 26th September 1916.Age 25. Son of Mrs. F. L. Schooling and the late William Schooling, of 5, Chapel Place, Ramsgate, Kent. Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D.France. Also commemorated at Ramsgate & St Lawrence Cemetery, Ramsgate, Kent.
SCOTT Herbert Walter, Private, 152668. 27th Battalion, Canadian Inf (Manitoba Regt). 4th June 1917. LB 11. Died of wounds received in action on the Somme. Age 23, son of R W and Hannah SCOTT of 855, 9th Street, Brandon, Manitoba.
SHEAVES J, Officer's Steward 3rd Class. L/8643. R.N. H.M. Tug Charm. 1st September 1918. LA 618.
SIMPSON Robert George, Private, 14183. 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. 9th October 1915. BA 99. Died of wounds and gas received at Loos. Age 28, son of Robert Benjamin and Jane SIMPSON of Ramsgate, Kent. Proceeded to France August 1914.
SKILLER James Private. G/510. 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. died of wounds, Nethercourt Hospital, Ramsgate, Kent, 11th April 1916. LA 659.
SMITH G. Private. 11043. 1st/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. 26th March 1915. LB 496. Died of wounds received at Neuve Chapelle. Age 25, son of Mr and Mrs J SMITH of 5 Siller Street, Findochty, Banffshire.
SOLLY W T, Driver, 220009. Training Depot, Royal Engineers. 2nd August 1917. LA 663. Age 36, son of the late Mr and Mrs E SOLLY; husband of E E SOLLY of 28 Upper Dumpton Park Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
STEED J G Gunner, 18905. Royal Garrison Artillery. 7th April 1917. D 736. Died of wounds (gas). Age 39, Born at Margate, Kent. Husband of the late Ellen Harriett STEED (nee SETTERFIELD)
STEEL John Lieutenant. R.N.V.R. H.M.S. Peel Castle. 7th February 1916. LA 624. Age 34. B.A., B.Sc. Son of Lt-Cmdr R C STEEL R.N. and Emma STEEL of Portsmouth; husband of Elisa Olava STEEL of 142 Etchingham Park Road, Finchley, London
STEVENS Charles, Private, 10703, 1st/8th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). 3rd May 1921. Age 23. Son of Alfred Stevens of 45 King St. Ramsgate. LB. 54.
STOVIN Lewis John Elliott, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. 22nd August 1917. LB 17
TAYLOR Charles William. Able Seaman. London Z/2811. R.N.V.R. Anson Battalion, R.N. Div. 20th June 1918. D 639. Age 44, son of Richard and Annie TAYLOR; husband of Alice Mary TAYLOR of 32 Rosebery Avenue, Hereson Road, Ramsgate, Kent
THOMAS William James, Station Officer, H.M. Coastguard, 20th October 1924, LA600. Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal. Age 77, husband of Sarah Miriam THOMAS of 78 South Eastern Road, Ramsgate, Kent
TIMMS J E. Deck Hand. H.M.S Marcella, Mercantile Marine Reserve. 30th December 1915. LA 623.
TROWBRIDGE A C. Sapper. 67142. Royal Engineers. 22nd October 1916. HC 104
TURMAINE Rose Jane, 7836. Womens Royal Air Force. 16th November 1918. D 619.
WATSON Ernest George, Stoker 1st Class. K/6534. R.N. H.M.S. Marshal Ney. 8th October 1917. LA 595. Accidentally drowned. Age 25, son of Richard and Ellen WATSON of 15 Southend Road, Bungay Suffolk.
WEBSTER R. 2nd Corporal. WR/325021. Royal Engineers. 31st May 1919.KB 658
WELSH Richard Michal. Sapper. WR/314059. Royal Engineers. 6th February 1918. LB 49. Age 22, son of Richard and Mary WELSH of 5 St John Street, Cardiff.
WESTWOOD A J, Private, 63. The Queens transferred to (64825) Labour Corps, 11th September 1922, LB 70. Died of wounds (gas). Age 46, son of William Edward and Emily WESTWOOD.
WILLMORE H G. Lance Serjeant. 5199. 3rd Battalion, Scots Guards. 28th March 1920. KB 495. Age 31, husband of Mary WILLMORE of 55 Picton Road, Ramsgate, Kent
WILSON P J H, Fireman. S.S. Port Dalhousie Mercantile Marine. 19th March 1916. LB 222. Age 38, son of Edwin Walter and Louisa WILSON
Ramsgate (St Augustine) Roman Catholic Churchyard
| Last name | Initials | Rank/Position | Unit / No | Date of death | Grave ref. | Other information |
| THUNDER | Michael Hubert Francis | 2nd Lieutenant | Royal Flying Corps. | 24th September 1916 | nr West Boundary | Killed while flying. Age 34, son of the late Maj. George THUNDER (7th Bn Royal Fusiliers) and Margaret PUGIN (formerly THUNDER). |
Second Lieutenant MICHAEL H. F. THUNDER, of the R.F.C., who died at Norwich from burns received in a flying accident, was buried at Ramsgate on September 29th with military honours. He was the son of the late Mr. George Thunder, of Lagore, Meath, and grandson, on his mother's side, of Pugin, the architect. He was educated at St. Augustine's College, Ramsgate; he had his commission in December, 1915, and was gazetted flying officer in March of this year. Six officers of the Flying Corps acted as bearers, and the officer in command arrived by aeroplane.
From 51 Squadron History Society by Neil Smith of Edinburgh
Lt. Thunder was the first airman to be killed serving with 51 squadron and the only 51 squadron airman to be killed in action during the Great War (that I have managed to find so far).
Born the 6th September 1879 in Ramsgate, Kent the son of Major George Thunder of the 7th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and Margaret Pugin. He had a private education, qualified as a mining engineer and spent some time working in Argentina and Malaya before returning to the UK. He joined the Royal Flying Corps and qualified as a Pilot on the 16th January 1916 at the Military School in Ruislip, Surrey later to join the newly created RFC 51 Squadron.
51 Squadron formed at Thetford, Norfolk, on 15 May 1916 as a Home Defence unit. The Squadron flew BE2s and BE12s on anti-Zeppelin patrols, the unit also providing night flying training for newly qualified pilots with Avro 504Ks.
From September 1916, units of 51 Squadron Home Defence were based at Marham but also used airfields dotted about the county for training exercises such as night flying. (Mattishall, Earsham, Freethorpe, Gooderstone, Warren, Mousehold Heath, Saxthorpe, Sedgeford, Sporle, Tottenhill and West Rudham).
On the 24th September 1916 Lt. Thunder scrambled from Mattishall to intercept an attack from a dozen Zeppelin airships that were reported to have crossed the North Sea to attack London and the East coast.
According to the cause of death from his death certificate he
failed to gain enough height on take off and crashed:
Cause of Death: Accidently burnt and his death was occasioned through the petrol
of an aeroplane he was flying becoming ignited after colliding with a tree and
falling to the ground.
There are reports that say that although badly burnt he managed to crawl away from the aircraft to a nearby hedgerow bank where he was picked up and taken to Thorpe St. Andrew War Hospital in Norwich where he later died of his injuries.
Michael Thunder’s second claim to fame is that he was the grandson of Augustus Northmore Welsby Pugin leading architect of Victorian Britain and famous for his Gothic style of architecture in many churches around the country, not forgetting his most famous work the Palace of Westminster in London.
2nd Lt. Michael Thunder now rests with his grandfather in St. Augustine’s Church, Ramsgate which was also designed by Augustus.
Photographs of St Augustine's Church provided by Pat, a Maid of Kent.
click on pictures above to enlarge
St Laurence in Thanet Churchyard
plaque inside Church
Photograph provided by Pat, a Maid of Kent.
click on picture to enlarge
BRUCE William Henry Corporal. Z/9114. 3rd Battalion, The Buffs. Born 1888 Ramsgate, enlisted 1909. Died 21st November 1918, from influenza and pneumonia at Fort Pitt Military Hospital, Chatham, Kent.
Father James Bruce, mother Annie, brothers James & Jack and two sisters. Lived at 82 Boundary Road, Ramsgate, Kent, 66 High Street, St Lawrence, Ramsgate, Kent , 57 Winstanley Crescent, Margate Road, Ramsgate, Kent. January 1920, family living in Canada.
Grave No.799.
CURTIS J W, Private, 35454. 3rd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. 10th June 1917. Near West boundary. Grave 519
In loving memory of our dear son Henry William Dadd, who died on active service Sept. 9th 1915 aged 20 years. At rest. Also of dear mother, Jennie Dadd, died March 12th 1952, aged 79 years. United at last.
Photographs and information provided by Pat, a Maid of Kent.
DADD Henry William, Private, 261. Royal Army Medical Corps, died 8th September 1915.
DRAGE Frederick George, Private, 231830. Royal Air Force, died 29th November 1918, age 41.
Son of George and Mary DRAGE of Ware, Hertfordshire. Born 1877 Chiswick. Husband of Elizabeth Mary SABAN, married1903 June quarter, St Giles, London. Left a widow, Elizabeth Mary HARRISON (formerly DRAGE) of Pine Lea, Grove Gardens, Westbrook, Margate, Kent.
NIXON Robert, Private, 414201. 13th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, (Quebec Regiment). 23rd March 1918. Near West boundary. Grave No. 630.Died of phthisis. Age 38, son of Robert NIXON of Alston, Cumberland; husband of Elizabeth ANGUS (formerly NIXON) of 96 Southwood Road, Ramsgate, Kent.
PETLEY P W J, Senior Reserve Attendant, M/9453(CH) Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve. H.M.S. Pembroke. 23rd October 1918. In SW part. Grave No. 727.Age 37, son of James and Emily PETLEY; husband of Lillian Fanny PETLEY of 39 High Street, St Laurence, Ramsgate, Kent.
This photograph
provided by Laura Probert
SMITH Oliver John Thomas, Lance Corporal, 8392. "C" Coy 1st Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. 7th January 1915. In SW part. Grave No. 782. Died of wounds received in action. Age 28, son of John and Eliza SMITH of Ramsgate, Kent; husband of Emma Grace WINSHIP (formerly SMITH) of Four Horseshoes, Graveney, Faversham, Kent
Inscription reads - In loving memory of Sarah Tottman, died 19 Feb. 1917 aged 70 years. Also of William Tottman A.B., late of HMS Calypso, died 1 April 1919 aged 33 years. R.I.P.
Photographs and information provided by Pat, a Maid of Kent.
TOTTMAN W, Able Seaman, 221957. (CH). R.N., HMS Pembroke, died 1st April 1919. Age 34, son of John and Sarah TOTTMAN. Grave No. 667.4 a double plot.
| Last name | Initials | Rank/Position | Unit / No | Date of death | Grave ref. | Other information |
| DRAGE | Frederick George | Private | 231830. Royal Air Force | 29th November 1918 | Age 41, son of George and Mary DRAGE of Ware; husband of Elizabeth Mary HARRISON (formerly DRAGE) of Pine Lea, Grove Gardens, Westbrook, Margate |
This page was last updated on 21-Nov-2012.
Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason.