Coast of Conflict

2000 years in the Front Line

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:16:25 +0100

Coast of Conflict looks principally at the south Kent coast from Napoleonic times until WW1. But our martial history stretches much further back.

Desribed by English Heritage as the most significant Roman site in Britain, Richborough Fort tells the story of the entire 500 years of Roman occupation.

My Seat

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:54:37 +0100

When I retired last February, my colleagues gave me some wonderful farewell presents. These included a psychedelic deck chair.

To show that I have been using it, between the showers, here it is……

As a Car Seat

In the Hot Seat….

….and of special meaning to all at CPSD…

The Seat of my Pants (flying by)

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BBC Radio 4 Open Country

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:18:25 +0100

A month ago I was standing on Hythe beach with Helen Mark, presenter of Open Country on Radio 4. We were discussing the creation of the first Ordnance Survey map, published in 1801, and known as the Mudge Map. With the threat of invasion from France, and the beaches of Kent the most likely landing grounds, military planners need a decent map of the county to prepare the country’s defences.

I wonder if Napoleon managed to get his hands on a copy of the map?

The broadcast goes out at just after 06.00 on Saturday morning 6 August. If you are not a farmer or insomniac, it is repeated at 15.00 on Thursday 11 August and can be listened to again on Podcast.

Here’s the link to the BBC website

And a small selection of pics below.

This is an extract from a military map showing the start of Hythe Royal Military Canal, from just below Shorncliffe Camp and Redoubt.

As his flotilla of invasion craft takes shape, Napoleon casts a covetous eye across the Channel to Kent. So near, yet so far…

Interested in Art? Have a peek at the Gallery pages

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:46:51 +0100

Events this Month

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 01:03:24 +0100

There is an Exhibition of the Unknown Warrior at The Grand on Folkestone’s Leas this month. Entry is free.

An evocative stained glass window is the centrepiece, with information provided on large panels, and a print of Lutyens’ original design for the Cenotaph.

The Exhibition is sponsored by The Grand and Step Short, Folkestone’s WW1 project to memorialise the Great War.

7th August 2011

There is great opportunity to see the Exhibition by coming along to the 3rd annual Step Short march. This has become increasingly popular and is attended by hundreds of people who participate in the march which follows in the footsteps of the millions of WW1 soldiers who left Folkestone Harbour for the Western Front. This year we will be joined by Veterans, military bands and The Gurkhas. Be part of this memorable event. Assemble at The Grand on The Leas before 10.30 am on Sunday 7 August 2011.

Go to the Step Short website for more info - click HERE

Picture of the Month

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:01:33 +0000

The image below needs no explanation. I have added colour to the doll to emphasise the all-consuming bleakness of battle ravaged France and Belgium during the Great War.

Musketry - new content

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:28:36 +0000

I have added some material to the Musketry pages today.

A Ghost Story - Smugglers' Haunt

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:41:50 +0000

Some years a ago I wrote a ghost story for the magazine of the Sandgate Society. In it, I mention our dog, Honey. We lost Honey last year and, as a tribute to her and to faithful pets everywhere, I have pleasure in presenting the ghost story to you. Click HERE

HONEY

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Snowdrops!!!

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:59:32 +0000

At this time of year, the Snowdrops provide both a reminder of winter and a promise of spring. Have a look at some photos from Goodnestone Gardens, Kent, taken last weekend.

Soon be time for Daffodils and Bluebells. I’ll try and get some pics and add them here. After all, even the Coast of Conflict has its peaceful side!!

New content on the Musketry page

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:52:41 +0000

Click on the Musketry page to see more images relating to Hythe School of Musketry, later renamed the Small Arms School.

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:45:28 +0000

Coming soon!!

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 18:38:00 +0000

SPIES AND SPYMASTERS

The coast of Kent has an intriguing history, not only for its obvious military and naval contributions to the defence of the country, but also for its covert contributions. During the Napoleonic Wars, espionage was rife and often involved the use of Smugglers to obtain information during their illicit activities in France.

During the Great War, Folkestone was a key base for British intelligence services, and the origins of both MI5 and MI6 can be traced back to the some fascinating events and people in the town.

These stories will be revealed over the coming weeks, so keep watch for a new page, which will simply be called ‘SPIES’.

The Diary of Frank Kemsley

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:19:00 +0000

A new page has been added which links to the diary of a WW1 Canadian soldier, Frank Kemsley. He was stationed in the military camps around Folkestone before being sent to France.

This is a unique opportunity to follow a day-by-day account of one of the many thousands of Canadian troops who came to Shorncliffe during the war. Click on the ‘Franks Diary’ page above to find out more.

Museum to visit in Dover

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:01:53 +0000

In the grounds of the Castle, but sometimes overlooked with all of the other attractions, the museum of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and the Queen’s Regiment is well worth a visit. Tracing the history of the Regiments with excellent displays and information, do find half an hour to walk round the exhibition.

Here are a couple of pics of the WW1 section. Very atmospheric!!!!

New pics on the Napoleonic Pages!!

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 01:56:23 +0000

I hope you will enjoy the pictures of Napoleonic re-enactments, especially as they bring back memories of hot Summer days!!!

Boulogne

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:07:27 +0000

Nearly one hundred years ago, Boulogne was ‘invaded’ by many thousands of British and Allied troops heading for the Western Front. A century before the town was at the centre of Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain. Have a look at our Napoleonic War pages for a glimpse of ‘Boney’s’ plans for the Kent coast.

The picture above depicts the Camp of Napoleon’s Army of England, Boulogne, in 1804 when the Emperor handed out Legion d’Honneur medals to his troops.

The Story of Gipsy Lee

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:17:03 +0000

Acts of heroism often take place in situations of conflict. The story featured here did not. In 1897 Ambrose Lee, a Gypsy (spelled Gipsy in the records) from Folkestone, tried to save the life of a drowning boy. Click here to read more.

Step Short in Folkestone

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 23:28:01 +0000

This WW1 project is one to watch. Visit the website here

Also have a look at The Grand’s website where there is also some info, here

These are photos of WW1 training trenches near to Shorncliffe Camp

Up and running!

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:17:43 +0000

At last, I’m getting the hang of adding content to this site. Having just retired, I hope to be able to keep up the momentum.

Today’s pictures are of a Royal Naval Air Service airships at RNAS Capel-le-Ferne, between Folkestone and Dover. The top one attributed to one of the pilots there during WW1, Lt Goddard, who later became an Air Vice Marshall. The bottom is attributed to Louis Raemaekers, the WW1 Belgian artist who specialised in propaganda pictures.Another of his paintings can be seen at the Science Museum, and on their website here

Keep watching - more soon!