Good afternoon.
I am a volunteer guide in Canterbury Cathedral and I am preparing a document on HMS Kent and her part in the battle, to mark the centenary next year. Much of the material gathered so far is freely available on the web, but our aim is to reflect the people involved. Might I ask if any of you who had relatives on HMS Kent would be willing to pass on any family oral history about daily life on the ship or the battle itself?
I am also researching in the cathedral archives to try to find out what happpened to the flags that were laid up in the cathedral in 1916. They are not on show and nobody knows what has happened to them. If anyone can shine any light on that mystery it would be much appreciated.
Many thanks to John Valentine for all the help he has given me.
Kind regards to all
Adrian Beaumont
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
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The story i have is from my Father from my grandfather (stoker on the Kent) is that they screwed the safety valves down on the boilers to get more steam during the battle.
That is a very useful piece of information indeed. Well known that the stokers made valiant efforts to increase speed, and that is clear proof of the lengths they were prepared to go to. Thank you! Do you have any photos of grandfather that could go in the document I am preparing for the cathedral archives?
Hi Adrian
i do have a photo of him taken during the war in uniform with his wife and daughter my aunt. i also have a copy of An illustrated souvenir of the occasion when the flags were put in canterbury cathedral (26 pages) and a post card of the funeral party leaving the church in falkland islands. i would interested in seeing anything you come up with i only live in rayleigh essex. cheers Keith
Adrian
John Valentine is my uncle. He made me aware of my grandfathers service on Kent. As a result I've spent some time doing bits of research.
As I live in Canterbury, it would be interesting perhaps to meet up some time and compare notes
regards
Damian Hone
Keith....
Would it be possible to make a copy of photos and the souvenir of the flag laying-up to add to the report I am writing for the cathedral archives?
I am currently trying to find out what happened to the flags, and have been spending time in the archives at Canterbury Cathedral working with the head of Archives.
Just a couple of days ago I found that the flags were taken down in January 1943. They had hug in the nave by the altar since 1916, but fell victim to the Baedekker raid of June 1942. Windows in the nave were blown out and were not covered. A storm at the end of the year resulted in high winds inside the cathedral and the flags were blown about and damaged. They were taken down and stored in one of the chapels and..... I have yet to find out more. The cathedral archives do have a souvenir napkin from the day of the laying-up, printed on tissue thin paper and very delicate, but that is all. If you fancy a visit to Canterbury I am working as a volunteer in the cathedral in the morning, and the archives are open.
Damian...
Great to hear from you!
I am in the cathedral on Tuesday mornings and Fridays from 11.30 to 2pm, though the archives are not open on Fridays.
As a Canterbury resident you are entitled to a Precincts Pass to get in without paying. This link is for the application form if you have not already got one. http://canterbury-cathedral.org/assets/files/docs/pdf/community/precincts-pass.pdf
If you can let me know when you fancy coming in I'll make sure I have everything with me.
Adrian
Keith
I should have added that if you plan to visit Canters on a Tuesday I will arrange with visits and archives to try to get you in without paying.....
Can't do owt about car parking though.............
Hi Adrian
Just to add the general theme, my Great Uncle was a leading stoker on board the Kent during the Falklands battle, re: some of my earlier posts on this forum, can supply a bit more info if you wish,there was some archive film footage of the flags being 'laid up' at Canterbury, I think I posted the link in an earlier posting on this site.
best regards
Tony Collins
Adrian
I work during the week, and am unable to get any time off at present.
I'll leave my details at the Cathedral for you and we can perhaps arrange a mutually convenient time
Regards
Damian
Hi Adrian
i could get down on tue 12th march.
I can bring the photos and information with me and anything you think will be of use you can copy.
if this is ok with you please send me the address where we can meet.
Cheers keith
Keith....
I've-mailed the Head of Archives just to make sure that she will be there on the 12th March. As soon as I hear from her I wil let you know. Best place to meet is the cathedral - I will make arrangements for you to get in free. Would anyone be coming with you? The archives have the best facilities for copying and I'll be able to show you the memorial and where the flags were hung. The archives have photos of the nave with the flags hanging, that you might not have seen before. Would that be acceptable to you?
Adrian
Topcat
I'd be very thankful for any information, most especially anything relating to people.
The all too short British Pathe clip we have seen, and the archives does have a couple of photos (much higher quality) taken as the procession was going into the cathedral via the West Door.
Adrian
Adrian
I will be on my own, looking at it the west railway station is the closest.
Keith
Keith.....
I've heard from the Head of Archives - an e-mail sent just before half past ten on Sunday evening. Next Tuesday, 12th March is fine. Could you please let me know what your travel plans are for the day and I'll set to work organising all at this end.
Best wishes
Adrian
Adrian
will arr at Canterbury west station at 0938 if the trains are time, then what ever time it takes walking to you. if you sent me an e-mail address i will forward my moblie.
keith
Keith
Try this one
beaumont_astorschool@hotmail.com
It is an underscore in the first part, not a hyphen.
Keith
Walking route....
Come out of Canterbury West station, and turn right. At end of road turn left into St Dunstans ST. You'll then send the medieval towers of West Gate in front of you. Walk towards and past, carrying on down the High Street. Keep going till you see Santander and Lloyds Bank on your right. Just after them turn left off the High Street into a narrow land callled Butchery Lane. Very short, and you'll see the main entrance to the cathedral precincts in front of you.
Adrian, Keith
I've managed to get Tuesday off. Do you have any objections if I "gatecrash your party"?
Regards
Damian
Hi Damian & Adrian
it's ok with me
cheers Keith
Sure. Meet at the main entrance into the precincts in the Buttermarket. I'll be there shortly before 10am. Keith - could you send me a text when you are safely in Canters and on foot, when I'lll know for sure when to be at the entrance.
Damien - if possible, if yu have any documentary stuff that might be of interest to the archives, that you would not mind being copied, could you bring it with you? I'll be easy to find in this weather - long black overcoat and Harris tweed cap, and looking cold. There's normally a charge for entering the precincts, but tell the staff that you are there to visit the archives and you'll get in free. I'll be there anyway should there be any difficulty.
Adrian
See you tomorrow
Damian
My Grandfarther Harry HAND served on the Kent in his early naval service , he was a stocker all his working naval carrear until his death on the Vimera 1942. As was normal her lied about his age to join, to escape his life of hardship in Cornwall at the turn of the century. AT the age of 14. Recently, whilst looking after mum, who is wheelchair bound, I found photographs of his time on the Kent.
Dear Bruce
Brilliant! Was grandfather of HMS Kent on the day of the battle?
I wonder if you have any family history passed down from grandfather about life on the ship, particularly with relation to the battle?
Would it be possible for the pictures to be scanned and posted on this sits? Could I perhaps use any in the report I am writing for the archives in Canterbury Cathedral?
Adrian
High Adrian
It might help you in your research about the Battle of Falklands: The complete log book for H.M.S. Kent covering the period from October 1914 to July 1919 is to be found at: http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05Kent1.htm. This site also provides a lot of informations on the other ships involved in this battle.
Regards Hansjörg.
Hi Adrian.
It might help you a bit in your research as the complete log book for H.M.S. Kent has been edited and can be found at: http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05Kent1.htm
The site also has a lot of informations on the Battle of Falklands
Regards
Hansjorg.
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