I am trying to research Dover's WW1 Anti-Aircraft unit. It was only in existence from November 1914 to August 1916 and consisted of 130-ish civilians recruited into the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and allotted naval rank accordingly. Their task was to spend nightshifts manning the searchlights over the harbour and keep a lookout for Zeppelins and seaplanes.
As the workers of the Corps were all civilians from Dover, I am hoping that somebody reading this may have a relative who was a member or even a relic from the Corps. If so I would love to hear about it. I can be contacted at:
phil.precambrian@btopenworld.com
List of names attached as of November 1914, although others joined the Corps later on. I have not included the RN members - all the following were locals as far as I can tell:
Thanks!
Commanding Officers
Lt-Cdr. Dr. Ian Howden, RNVR
Sub. Lt. JRP Clarke, RNVR
Sub. Lt. Charles Hardy
Sub. Lt. Travers B. Harby
Sub. Lt. H.A. Vasse
Sub. Lt. W.T. Rust
Sub. Lt. Nole Hoare
Chief Petty Officers
J.M. Barnard, Provision Merchant
C.E. Beaufoy, Builder
E.M. Birch, Rate Collector
E.E. Chitty, Solicitor
W.F. Clayton, Independent
P.A. Cockburn, Mining Engineer
J.J. Cullinane, Naval pensioner
H.R. Geddes, Continental Agents Manager
H.H. Goodwin, Outfitter
J.W. Harvie, Shipping Office Manager
D.S. Jennings, Surveyor
V.P. Martin, Electrician
Guy Mannering, Crabble Corn Mill
G.M. Norman, Hotel Proprietor
G.G. Redfern, Bank Manager
F. Rigden, Insurance
H. Teesdale, Engineer
G. Thomas, Ironmonger
B.G. Turner, Chartered Surveyor
P.G. Wraith, Director Motor Company
Searchlight Workers (Able Seaman)
L. Aiano, Salesman
H.F. Andrews, French Polisher
G. Ashbee, Tailor
S.R. Atherden, Clerk
S.F. Atwood, Clerk
C.W. Austin, Sanitary Inspector
A.E. Baker, Workman
F.W. Balch, Agent
C.E. Baldwin, Teacher
G. Barnes, Clerk
J. Beach, Cork Merchant
W.G. Beaton, Butcher
D. Biart, Clerk
J. Bingham, Boatman
W.G. Birt, Clerk
A.G.F. Blake, Bank Clerk
B.J. Bonsor, Engineer
A.C. Box, Engineer Victualler
V. Brown, Clerk
S.C. Brunning, Outfitter
L. Callow, Motor Engineer
H. Champion, Fitter
G. Chapman, Draper
S.C. Clout, Ironmonger
D. Cowieson, Police Pensioner
W. Court, Police Pensioner
F.W. Crofts, Clerk
R.H. Crummack, Surveyor
C. Darracott, Jeweller
L. Dilnot, Engineer
H. Ellenor, Chauffeur
G.E. Firley, Butcher
A. Falgate, Workman
R.F. Flavin, Clerk
J.P. Francis, Teacher
A.J. Fuller, Plumber
E.J. Gandy, Grocer
W.A. Golding, Chauffeur
W.H.J. Good, Accountant
W. Gurney, Grocer
A.R. Hall, Bank Clerk
H. Hall, Miner
T.H. Hall, Bank Clerk
P.H. Hammerton, Bank Cashier
T. Harman, Clerk
C.F. Hatton, Draper
J.A. Holyman, Collector
W.G. Hopper, Licensed
W. Howard, Gas Inspector
W.F.G. Jewell, Clerk
S. Jones, Bank Cashier
A. Kemp, Florist
V.J. Kemp, Miller
W. Kennett, Rent Collector
H.G. King, Plumber
L.E. Knight, Civilian Employee
A. Kyle, Bank Clerk
W.S. Ledger, Verger
S.H. Leigh, Engineer
A. Luck, Blacksmith
G.H. Lusty, Retired Missionary
A.H. Lockwood, Ironmonger
C.C. Marsh, Watchmaker
C.R. Martin, Military Tailor
W.R. Mattock, Mechanical Instructor
H.C. Merry, Salesman
W.R. Mofiatt, Clerk
F.D. Morford, Insurance
H. Mount, Plumber
J. Newling, Motor Engineer
S.G. Nye, Cycle Engineer
W.J. Norton, Outfitter
R.C. Palmer, Bank Clerk
G. Pardoe, Commercial Traveller
J.A. Patterson, Teacher
H. Penn, Accountant
S.D. Percival, Teacher
R. Pessers, Clerk
F.F. Pilgrim, Clerk
F.R. Plenty, Teacher
G. Poxon, Motor Engineer
A.E. Pritchard, Grocer
W.J. Pudney, Income Tax
G.T. Rigden, Clerk
G.T. Ripp, Watchmaker
A.E. Saville, Plumber
W.H. Saville, Rate Collector
W.C. Scott, Clerk
R. Sinclair, Engineer
A.R. Smith, Schoolmaster
G. Small, Plumber
A.F. Smith, Sign Writer
C. Smith, Stoker
W. Smithen, Friendly Society
H.F. Southey, Independent
W.C. Stokes, Chauffeur
A.R. Terry, Cycle Engineer
H. Thompson, Metal Polisher
W. Tinsley, Bootmaker
W.J. Todd, Draper
C.W. Tomlin, Tailor
F.W. Wallis, Teacher
F.G. Watkins, Stationer
F.G. Webb, Bank Cashier
G.H. Wells, Coachbuilder
A.E. Williamson, Plumber
W.C. Winn, Motor Engineer
A.E. Winn, Motor Engineer
S.A. Wright, Clerk
W.L. Youden, Estate Agent
W. Young, Clerk