Isle of Thanet in the Great War by Stephen Wynn

Author:Stephen Wynn [Wynn, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, World War I, Europe, Great Britain, General
ISBN: 9781473865235
Google: 9ATMDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-10-30T03:21:36+00:00

Anti-Aircraft Battery near Ramsgate Harbour.

The subsequent funerals of the naval ratings killed in the explosion, thirteen of which took place at Ramsgate Cemetery, saw a large number of local residents in attendance to show their respect and gratitude for the sacrifice the men had made. The names of those who were killed are:

Able Seaman (J/20874) Stanley V.J. Beer

Stoker (3049/T) Michael Berry

Leading Signalman (228411) Joshua Harry Bish

Able Seaman (226781) John James Brookshaw

Leading Seaman (239183) Walter Flintham

Stoker 1st Class (K/21488) Archie L. Hennessey

Able Seaman (J/17840) John Bruce Heyworth

Leading Stoker (306858) Richard H. Hocking

Stoker 1st Class (111627) Stephen W. Judge

Able Seaman (J/12206) Thomas Martin

Stoker (K/21489), William R. Northcott

Stoker 1st Class (K/15073) Richard S. Rogers

Ordinary Telegraphist (T/43722) Albert H. Strong, the youngest of those who died, at just 17 years of age.

Leading Seaman (J/8110 (DEV) Frederick James Welford (buried at Gorleston Cemetery in Norfolk)

On 16 June 1917 six Zeppelins were preparing to leave their home base at Nordholz in northern Germany, to carry out an attack on areas of London and Kent. One of the problems with Zeppelins was that they were vulnerable in high winds and inclement weather, not so much once they were in the air and underway, but whilst they were in the process of taking off after they had been manoeuvered out of their sheds. On the evening of Saturday 16 June, the weather in Germany was inclement with high winds that were sufficiently strong as to prevent two of the Zeppelins from leaving their sheds. Eventually four of them began their journey towards the English coastline, which included the L.42 and the L.48. The other two airships both encountered unspecified engine problems and had to turn round and return to their home base, their crews no doubt happy with this unforeseen difficulty, ensuring that they would not become casualties of the war, at least on that occasion.

As the two remaining Zeppelins cut inwards across the east coast of England at Harwich, L.48 came under attack from several British aircraft from the Royal Flying Corps who were stationed at Orfordness. Three of these were a FE 2b twinseater aircraft flown by Lieutenant F.D. Holder, with Serjeant S. Ashby as the gunner; Lieutenant Pierce Watkins flying a BE 12 and Captain Robert Saundby in a DH 2.

The L.48 could fly as high as 20,000 and at a top speed of 60 miles per hour, which kept it out of the range of anti-aircraft guns as well as the British aircraft, which simply could not fly at such heights. To be able to fly at a faster speed the L.48 needed to fly at a lower altitude, but to do so made the airship vulnerable and placed its crew in mortal danger. In an attempt to get back to its home base as quickly as possible, L.48’s commander made the fateful decision to descend so that he could pick up speed. As soon as he did so, and despite his best attempts at keeping his attackers at bay, L.48 was attacked and

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