Boorman, G. E. M.
Gertrude Evelyn Mavis Boorman was 13 when she was killed in the early hours of 16th February1918. Just after midnight there was loud gunfire, with falling bricks and slates. The assault lasted barely three minutes. A submarine, according to official reports, but a destroyer according to witnesses, outside the breakwater had been firing shells at the town. Some sixteen or seventeen had struck houses and buildings, but mainly unoccupied portions.

The exception was the Boorman's home, at number 4 on Cowgate Hill. Four children had gone to bed at ten o'clock in the evening, and been asleep at the top of the house. Her step-father was a stoker on the King George V. Their mother, Mrs Surrell, wakened by gunfire, ran upstairs to fetch the children. She took Sydney out of bed, calling to the others to come. They got out of bed, and as their mother reached the door of the room there was a loud crash. A shell had gone through the neighbouring house, blown down the wall between the houses, and burst in their room.

The children were rushed to hospital. Gertrude was so seriously injured that she died shortly after arriving. She is buried at St Mary's, in the same grave as her previously deceased father, and very many floral tributes were sent, including those from her friends and schoolfellows.

William, two years older, had a badly damaged leg and shrapnel in his body. It was feared he would lose his leg. The other two, Amelia, 11 years old, and Sydney, 9, were injured less badly.   

William	Amelia	Sydney

Henry	Albert

Two sons of the family were away serving, Henry in a labour battalion, and Albert on a hospital transport.

Getrude was one of the casualties remembered in the Service of Remembrance for Civilians - November 2007

Note: No 4 is the central house, next to the cream one, in the image above right. A disjointed roof line, presumably a result of the shell damage, can clearly be seen. The occupants of No 3 were in the room when the shell burst through, but only one, Mr F C Shovelier, sustained slight injuries.

 

picture and transcription with thanks to Joyce Banks	Gertrude's grave is in the lower area of St Mary's. The words on the base of the cross read: "Girlie" In Loving Memory of our darling Gertrude M. Boorman. Born 25th October 1904, Killed 16th February 1918 By German Submarine Bombardment. Loved By All.   Also William Boorman Father of the above, Died 02 May 1916. Aged 64? years.
Cowgate Hill. The road leads to the old cemetery, nestling beneath the Napoleonic fortifications of the Western Heights. Gertrude's home is on the right, in the middle of the block.
1919 - In loving memory of our darling (Girlie) Gertrude E M Boorman, who was killed in submarined bombardment, February 15th-16th 1918, aged 13 1/2 years.   Could I have raised her dying head, Or heard her last farewell, The pain would not have been so hard, For I who loved her so well. We do not forget her, we loved her too dearly For her memory to pass from our life like a dream. The lips need not speak when the heart mourns sincerely, And tears often flow where they seldom are seen. From sorrowing Mum, Dad, Brothers, and Sister	1919 - In ever loving remembrance of my dear sister, Gertrude, Evelyn Mavis Boorman, who was killed by enemy bombardment, February 16th 1918. Gone, but not forgotten, by her sorrowing brother, Harry
	In memoriam notice from February 1940 In ever loving memory of (Girlie) Gertrude E M Boorman, killed in German bombardment, February 16th 1918. Always remembered - Dad, Mum, Brothers and Sisters in February 1943 the in memoriam notice was from "Mum, Brothers, and Sisters (Peterborough)"

Gould, J.
Mrs Jane Gould lived at 77 Crabble Hill, and was bedridden. She was shocked and injured during a raid on 24th September 1917, which killed her neighbours, the Kenwards.  She was taken to hospital, and later to the home of her granddaughter, at Glen Lyn, Maxton. She died there, at the age of 86, on 16th October.

She was buried at Buckland, D 24, with Mrs Scott, her daughter, and Mr Head, her son, following. There were no flowers, by request. 

Hall, F. A.
Francis Amos Hall died during an air raid on 19th March 1916, aged seven years and eleven months.

He lived at 23 Winchelsea Street, Dover, and had been on his way to Sunday school (he is named on the Salem Baptist church memorial). When the raid began he ran as quickly as he could back to his home;  his mother, hearing the planes, rushed out to find him. She saw a bomb strike close to her son. A gentleman ran to help, but the lad was terribly injured. A witness stated that his "eyes seemed to move once" and then he died. He was sent in a car with Miss Stoker, another victim, to the hospital.

His father was a railway guard, and had just left Dover on the London train. He could not be informed of the tragedy until his train reached London.  He had the distressing experience of having his dead son sent out again from the hospital before he could claim him, the blood unwashed from his face, as the hospital staff were overwhelmed by casualties from the raid.  Later he expressed his gratitude to the many people who had sheltered and comforted his wife "as best they could" until his return.

 Francis Hall was buried at Charlton, Yq13. The headstone on the grave reads:

In Loving Memory of Francis Amos Hall met death by enemy air craft 19th March 1916 aged 8 years "Gone to Rest"

Also George Frederick Hall died 29th February 1944 aged 74 years RIP

Also his wife Elizabeth Dora Hall died 11th July 1966  aged 94 years

Floral tributes laid when he was buried included:
"To darling Tiddles, from his broken-hearted Mum and Dad"
"To darling baby Tiddles, from his loving brother and sorrowing sister"

picture of grave and transcriptions with thanks to Joyce Banks

We Remember 4

Holbourn, S. W.
Sidney William Holbourn was born in Dover in 1877. In 1881 he was living with his parents, Edward, a carpenter, and Harriet, at 8 St Catherine's Place, Charlton, Dover. They then had five children, Earnest, Emily, Frank, Sidney himself, and Percy, who was then six months old. By 1901 the family was at 20 Granville Street, and an older daughter, Hilda, was with them. Sidney was by then a bricklayer. 

Sidney was one of over a hundred people killed in the great explosion at the Faversham munitions factory on 2nd April 1916. He is buried with many other casualties in a mass grave at Faversham Borough Cemetery.

His mother, from 24 Granville Street, Charlton, requested that his name should be included on the Town Memorial, but her request was refused as her son had never been on active service.  However, Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, had two years before the explosion written to the Cotton Powder Company, which worked the Uplees site, that the workforce were "carrying out the great work of supplying munitions of war" and so were "doing their duty for their King and Country, equally with those who have joined the Army for active service in the field."

In the centre of the grave is a large cross. At the base are the words, "Sacred to the memory of the men who died in the service of their country. 2nd April 1916. Father in thy gracious keeping leave we now thy servants sleeping."

Sidney Holbourn's grave is on the right of the picture above, approximately opposite the fallen headstone.

Ernest Legg, of Eythorne, was another casualty of the explosion. He was buried there, but his name is recorded on a stone by the mass grave at Faversham, with others whose relatives and friends wished to bury their bodies elsewhere.

James, J
Jane James, of 40 Snargate Street, died during an air raid on East Kent on 16th March 1916.  Four enemy bombers flew over Dover, Ramsgate, and Deal. Beginning at approximately 2pm, thirty six bombs were dropped on Dover.

Mrs James was a widow, aged 47, who ran a refreshment house in Dover and was a sister-in-law of a licensed victualler. She had been ill all morning, and had eaten her breakfast in bed. She rose and was by the window as the bombers struck; a bomb hit the back of Mr Barwick's workshop in Northampton Street, near her home, and the fragments from the explosion severely injured the right side of her chest and stomach. 

Mrs James was buried at St Mary's. Amongst the floral tributes were,

"to my dear daughter, from her sorrowing mother" (Mrs Stewart)
"to my darling mother, from her heart-broken Harry"

Mrs Maude Lloyd, left, was seriously injured. One arm had to be amputated, the other suffered a compound fracture. She also had a fractured jaw, and a cut on her head.  She was the widow of a soldier, with several children.

Note: a subsequent report stated that they were not by the window but well back in the room. The house was severely damaged, and rendered quite open to the street

The picture above shows the approximate site of Mrs James' house. It is close to the western docks. Northampton Street has now been demolished, and replaced by a throughway to the eastern docks. 

Keates, A. and E.
Annie and Evelyn Keates. They were buried at Charlton, Dover, 2 GI, on 29th September 1917, and the headstone reads:

"Sacred  to the memory of my beloved Annie also of our darling daughter Evelyn Annie Keates who lost their lives in the air-raid 24th September 1917 In death not divided R. I. P. Also of John Alfred Keates who died 28th(?) August 19?? aged 52 years"

Annie (nee Gilham?) was 52 years old, and Evelyn was 12. They had moved to 40 Glenfield Road when their previous home in 19 Wood Street had been damaged by an air raid. The back of their new home was blown in by a bomb that had fallen into the back yard. It was said at the inquest that over 25 bombs had fallen in the area.

Mr Keates was an engine driver, and working when the air raid occurred at around 7.20 in the evening. He was some distance away from Dover before a message was received at a station and passed on to him. He returned to find that Annie had been killed outright; Mr Keates then had the melancholy job of identifying her body at the mortuary. Mrs Keates had been sitting in the back room, which was demolished, her back to the window. She was found lying on her side, terribly injured, having caught the full force of the explosion. Evelyn had been taken to hospital, where Mr Keates visited her. She later died from her serious injuries (on 26th September?). Mr Keates's sister-in-law was also injured, but survived.

Mother and daughter were buried on 29th September, in the afternoon. Mr Keates and son Ernest wee amongst the mourners. Among the floral tributes were:

"From her broken-hearted husband. Sudden death, Sudden glory."
"To dear Babs, from her devoted daddy"
"In tender remembrance of our dear Mother, from Ernie and Louie"

Note: Amongst the floral tributes were those from Mr and Mrs A. Lund, Bob and Elsie. They were Maggie S-K's great-grandparents, and grandparents, Elsie being the daughter of Mr and Mrs Lund.  Another tribute was from Elsie's sister, Winnie, then aged about 10. She wrote "In loving remembrance, from Winnie Lund, to dear Evelyn". 

with thanks to Joyce Banks

Kenward, E and E. M
Edwin and Ellen Marie Kenward. They lived at 75 Crabble Hill, and died on 24th September 1917 when a bomb struck the house. Edward was 75 (77?), and was blown into the fireplace and pinned beneath the debris; he died at the hospital(?) on 13th October.

Mr Kenward was a former employee of Mr Chitty. 

Ellen, aged 55, had been on her way to help a bedridden neighbour, Mrs Jane Gould, who later also died. Ellen was buried in the ruins of the front part of the house, apparently struck as she was entering. Her body had been cut in two, and such had been the blast, her clothes had been blown off. The body was so dreadfully mutilated that it could not be identified. The jury at the inquest decided it must have been she, as the build and hair colouring (dark, going grey) were similar to hers.

Poignantly, eight days before Mr Kenward died, a notice "In loving memory of Ellen Maria Kenward, second daughter of Edwin Kenward who was accidentally killed on Monday 24th September. Deeply mourned by her sorrowing Father and Sister, Brother-in-Law, Nieces and Nephew" was inserted in the Dover Express.

Ellen was buried at Charlton on 29th September, QU 32, the grave of her mother, who died in 1900. Her brother-in-law and sister, Mr and Mrs C S M Wells, and daughters Mrs Smith and Ilene Wells were amongst the mourners. Just 17 days later they had returned, with Miss Lucy Wells also, for the funeral of Ellen's father. 

The image above shows the gap, where nos 75 and 77 once stood. The site is now occupied by a garage. Left is a view of the backs of the houses still standing - nos 75 and 77 would have been to the left.
 

In loving memory of Mary, Wife of Edwin Kenward, Died 7th February 1900 Aged 58 years. For whoever giveth his beloved sleep.

In loving memory of Edwin Kenward, Husband of the above, Who died 13th October 1917. Aged 77 years. Peace, perfect peace.

In loving memory of Ellen Maria Kenward Who died 24th September 1917. Aged 55 years. In the midst of life we are in death.

transcription and gravestone picture by Joyce Banks

Little, E.
Edward Little, aged 72/73, lived at 4 Widred Road with his sister. On 4th September 1917, he was out at the back. He had just called to his son-in-law, George Smith, "Did you hear that, George?" when the family heard a "sissing noise". Mr Little's sister said, "Oh, the devils", and then knew no more.

A bomb had fallen and smashed in the backs of numbers 4 and 6. Mr Little was killed outright. He was discovered, buried under rubble, with his head blown completely away. His daughter, Minnie Smith, and her husband were also buried, and it took some little time for a constable and others to clear away the debris covering them and remove them. Mr Smith sustained a fractured leg, but Mrs Smith was critically hurt, with injuries about her arms, body, and head. When rescued she was conscious enough to enquire after her father, as did also her husband. Mrs Smith died over a month later, in hospital..  The three children in the house suffered only cuts and bruises.

Mr Little was buried at Charlton cemetery on 8th September, in the same grave as his wife, after a service at St Bartholomew's. He was a retired gas fitter, and the gas company was represented by three members. They accompanied the mourners, including Mr E J Little, Mrs Johncock, Mrs Ledner, and Mrs Filmer, his children.

with thanks to Joyce Banks

Images:
above - the gap is where 4 Widred Road once stood
right - the backs of the houses; the gap is where no 4 once was. Flats are now being built behind, and the former 4 Widred Road is the access road. 

Long, H. J. H.
Henry J H Long, a clerk, was killed on 4th September 1917 at 1 Priory Hill, the home of his father. They had heard an aeroplane at 10.30pm and had gone to the front of the house as they had believed it was a British plane. However, they identified it as an enemy machine from the distinctive noise of the engine, and at that moment bombs began to fall.

They shut the door, and almost at once there was a loud noise. Masonry fell down around them. Mr Long, the father, and his daughter had crouched under an arch, but the son was not with them. When it was still, Mr Long called his son, but there was no reply. Switching on the light he found his son on the landing up the stairs, his head over the last step, and completely unconscious.

Beside him was a hole in the wall. This was probably caused by the force of a bomb explosion, and Henry would have felt the full blast. He was bleeding from his head and hand, although there seemed to be no visible injury. Mr Long ran for an ambulance. Henry was still just alive when he arrived at the hospital, but died shortly afterwards. He was 29.     

He was buried at St Mary's on 5th(?) September, with his mother, who had died on 22 March 1915. His father, C T Long, who was an accountant, and his uncle W S Long attended, along with Messrs F C Wright and H Davis (AMR), fellow employees from Wiggins Teape and Co, Dover. There were many floral tributes.

Mr Long at the inquest said that there had been no siren warning of the hostile aircraft, and that had there been they would have gone to a safe place. He believed his son had died running up the stairs to get his collar. This was probably so that he might be respectably dressed to take refuge with other people.

The cross of Mr Long's grave has become dislodged from the base, which had been covered by ivy so the inscriptions were no longer visible. The cross is normally now laid flat, for safety reasons.  the inscriptions on the grave read:

In loving memory of James Long born March 8th 1824 died January 22nd 1904

also Jane Grayling Long widow of the above born 17th October 1835 died 18th August 1923

also Harriet Long daughter-in-law of the above born 29th March 1850 died 22nd March 1915

also Henry James Holman Long born 2?th September 1888 grandson of the above killed by hostile aircraft 4th September 1917

with thanks to Joyce Banks