Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
My good friend Terry Sutton has sent me these details:-
Seventy years ago, in September 1944, the "Hellfire Corner" town of Dover suffered its worst bombardment from enemy shelling endured during four years of missile attacks.
German gunners, on the French coast, were using up all their shells before the long-range guns were captured by advancing Canadian troops.
In that month more than three hundred shells were fired at Dover killing 41 civilians and destroying hundreds of homes. Many soldiers, including Americans, and sailors based in and around Dover were also killed.
Now, on Sunday morning September 14 (10.45 am), a community service is to be held at the church of St Mary-the-Virgin, Dover commemorating that terrible month, remembering those who died, and giving thanks that the ancient church escaped serious damage although the surrounding area was left in ruins.
The spokesman for the church said: "We are hoping that those still alive who endured those terrible September days will join us at this special service. Perhaps those whose family members were killed by shelling would like to join us.
"We will also be giving thanks to the brave Canadian soldiers who risked death in capturing and eliminating the guns that, in four years, fired more than 2,220 shells into the town of Dover, resulting in around 200 civilian deaths."
Further information from Terry Sutton 01304-820122
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Thanks Terry - I saw Guzzler (Tom) in Town yesterday and he was talking about this and was saying how right it would be if the Chairman of DDC and the Mayor of Dover, went to Calais for a service and of course inviting a contingent of Canadians.
I'm sure maggie Stephenson-Knight had a commemorative "do" on this very thing some years ago, maybe 2004 ?
Roger
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
We was living in Westbury Rd at that time I was only two years old but A BOMB landed right next door to our house on wast ground but my dad told me all that happen to our home was the windows were blown out on one side.
My dad would not tell us much about what happen in the war days and I was to young to know now.
Terry Nunn- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Thought I'd bump this up as it's a week on Sunday.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?