Because of the geographical location of the Isle of Thanet, it was
always going to play a part in the First World War. For some wounded
British and Commonwealth troops returning from the fighting in France
and Belgium, it was their first sight of England in months. The Isle of
Thanet just happened to be on one of the routes German Zeppelins and
Gotha Bombers took on their way to try and bomb London, which meant that
parts of the district were always going to be vulnerable from a sudden
and unexpected attack from the air.
The Isle of Thanet not only provided thousands of men for service in the
armed forces, but hundreds of men and women to serve in the Voluntary
Aid Detachments that were greatly needed, not just throughout the Isle
of Thanet, but all over Kent, to help deal with the steady influx of
returning wounded soldiers from across the English Channel.
Members of local Territorial units, the 4th Battalion, The Buffs (East
Kent Regiment) and the 3rd (Kent) Battalion, Royal Field Artillery, were
quickly mobilized for war time service, during the early days of the
war, suddenly making everything so very real for those concerned.
Many of the districts Police Constables, were ex-servicemen, some of
whom were still on the Army Reserve, they too were called up to once
again go and serve with the colors.
There was a great clamor across the country with everybody wanting to do
their bit in what ever way they could, the people of the Isle of Thanet
were no different. By the end of the war, they had certainly played
their part in ensuring that the outcome was a victorious one, making the
sadness of the ones who had paid the ultimate price, slightly easier to
accept.
