
Fire from the Sky, Thunder from the Sea: Ramsgate’s First Wo
Event Date: 22/11/2025
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During the First World War, Ramsgate found itself in the firing line as the new realities of warfare were brought home. Bombed from the air and shelled from the sea, the town experienced both fascination and fear, suffered devastation, and showed remarkable resilience, becoming one of the most heavily attacked coastal communities in Britain.
Drawing on official records, eyewitness accounts, diaries, newspapers, and contemporary photographs, this talk reveals how Ramsgate’s people faced the onslaught, while local and national authorities struggled to respond. Through adaptation, improvisation, and ingenuity, they met the challenges of a war that no longer respected front lines. As one observer declared, “There are no civilians now, we are all soldiers.”
This event will take place at The San Clu Hotel, Victoria Road, Ramsgate, CT11 8DT