In Memorium
Armistice Day
Marches though Dovercourt Town, shortly after the end of World War One, to remember those that fought and fell for their King and Country.
Marches though Dovercourt Town, shortly after the end of World War One, to remember those that fought and fell for their King and Country.
Peace Day Procession 24th July 1919
The procession can be seen, emerging from Church Street, into West Street, via Wellington Road.
Armistice Day marked the end of fighting on the Western Front, but formal negotiations at the Paris Peace Conference continued into 1919. The Allies' formal peace treaty with Germany, the Treaty of Versailles, was not officially signed until 28 June 1919.
The committee first met in London on 9 May 1919, chaired by the Foreign Secretary, Lord Curzon. Its initial proposal of a four-day August celebration was scaled down and brought forward after the Paris signing. A single day of festivities was planned for 19 July, but celebrated locally as close as possible.
The proposal did not receive universal approval. Some felt that the funds would be better spent on support for returning servicemen, many of whom struggled to cope with physical and mental injuries and high unemployment levels.
Postcode for the nearest location is CO12 3DL click here for Google Earth imagery.
- R.N.V.R.Minesweepers War Memorial
- The Dovercourt memorial was unveiled on 20th December 1919 and is dedicated to officers and men of the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Auxiliary Reserve and Minesweepers.
- The dedication reads:
- “To the Glory of God and in proud memory of the officers and men of the Royal Naval Reserve & Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve serving in the Auxiliary Patrol & Minesweepers at Harwich who died in the performance of their duties that the sea might be made free Twilight and evening bell and after that the dark! and may there be no sadness of farewell when I embark; For tho’ from out our borne of time and place the flood may bear me far. I hope to see my Pilot face to face, when I have crossed the bar. The brother officers and men of the Harwich Auxiliary Patrol & Minesweepers subscribed to erect this memorial in remembrance of their comrades who gave their lives in the service of their King and Country during the Great War 1914-1919 erected 1919”.
- The other three large bronze plaques have the names of the fallen and vessels embossed onto them. For example: “H.M.Paddle Minesweeper Mercury damaged by enemy mine 7 June 1917”.
- The Dovercourt Minesweepers memorial is a classically designed limestone memorial located on the corner of Fronks Road and Lower Marine Parade. It is grade II listed and has four projecting stone elements which each have a large bronze plaque attached. In addition to the bronze plaques there are for bronze dolphin figures, one at each corner.
An interesting view looking West along Fronks Road, Dovercourt taken around 1923
The Dutch House and Minesweepers War Memorial, dominate this scene, but nice to see the two horse & carts / travellers caravans, coming towards the camera.
Note the absence of any motorised vehicles but telephone lines are now in place, with the introduction of phone lines into the more affluent homes.
The original photograph was taken near the junction of Marine Parade, looking West towards the Mine Sweepers Memorial ( which was unveiled on the 20th December 1919 and is dedicated to officers and men of the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Auxiliary Reserve and Minesweepers.).
Postcode for the nearest location is CO12 3RJ click here for Google Earth imagery.
War Memorial (Upper Dovercourt)
This memorial is located on a busy main road in the centre of Upper Dovercourt; it remembers all the lost soldiers who died in World War I. Everyone named on this memorial lived in the Harwich & Dovercourt area. Every year, flowers are laid on this memorial to remember the brave soldiers who fought for their country in the early 1900s.
This memorial was built in 1919 straight after World War I, which ended in 1918.
This memorial is located on a busy main road in the centre of Upper Dovercourt; it remembers all the lost soldiers who died in World War I. Everyone named on this memorial lived in the Harwich & Dovercourt area. Every year, flowers are laid on this memorial to remember the brave soldiers who fought for their country in the early 1900s.
This memorial was built in 1919 straight after World War I, which ended in 1918.
Dovercourt War Memorial : Unveiling and dedication ceremony, 4th August 1920 by Wallis.
The Mayor and Town Council are gathered along with the Lord Lieutenant of Essex and the Bishop Bishop Suffragan of Barking to unveil the Dovercourt War Memorial Cross. The Harwich Mayor at that time was a William Blenkinsop Mclearon, who had been Mayor of Harwich no less than six times between 1897 and 1921. William was a ship builder and a coal merchant, based in King's Quay street, Harwich.
The site of the War Memorial (constructed of a large granite cross), was located at the junction of Fronk's Road and the Main Road, at Upper Dovercourt and commemorated the 136 soldiers lost during the First World War (1914 - 1918).