Coastguard - Lydd/Dungeness

[mikebroe]

My great grandfather, William BROE, was a coastguard and between 1890 and 1896 was stationed at the Grand Redoubt coastguard station at Lydd. The 1891 census shows his there with his wife and family. I am having problems establishing its exact location. My grandfather remembered living in Dungeness. I have looked at the Old Maps website and have found various locations i.e. the station near the Hope and Anchor public house and The Pilot but it gives no names. Can anyone assist me?

Another problem!

I have in possession a silver medal presented to him by the Norwegian government for lifeboat service. It is dated 11th November 1891 and inscribed in Norwegian/Swedish with his name. This would have been whilst he was stationed at Lydd. Can anyone let me know where I could find the details of the incident which led to the presentation of this medal? Which newspapers would have been most likely to have reported this? I live a long way from Kent and am at the moment unable to travel there.

Many Thanks

Mike

[Peter Goodey]

According to the census, it was between the school house and the Brittania ;)

[busyglen]

Hello Mike,

I'm afraid I can't help with either of the queries at the moment, but.....
have you seen this site with entries of the family. The name has been misspelt as Brol, but I think it is the same one. You probably have all of this information, but thought I would mention it just in case.

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Coastguards/index.html

It looks as if he was in Portsea, Hants. in 1901 and I think most of this information has come from the Census.

Regards

Glenys

[busyglen]

Hello again Mike,

Whilst doing some searching, I came across your query on the Sussex/Kent site, so I know that you already have this information. Sorry to have doubled it up.

Glenys

[busyglen]

Mike...searching further with Grand Redoubt Lydd, this site came up but I don't have time to search it thoroughly at the moment...as it includes directions, it may help.

www.fortifications.org/printfriendly.cfm

Glenys

[Mutley]

I am not sure but it could have been one of the

The South Coast Martello Towers

I know there were loads and am sure that one was called the Redoubt.

It will probably come up on Google.

Regards
Mutley

[Mutley]

On the link Glenys gave above it does seem to be your family.
Brol, William IRL 1857 Dublin 1891 Grand Redoubt Station Lydd KEN
1901 Portsea HAM Wife: Mary T, 1859 or 1861, Cork, IRL. Children: John & Patrick J, 1888 & 1889, Goring, SSX; Mary T, 1890, Brighton, SSX; Edward M, 1895, Dungeness, KEN; Ethel M, 1898, Fairlight, SSX.

I also found
'The most tragic victim was the Benvenue, a full-rigged ship of 2000 tons bound from London to Sydney. At 6am on wed 11th November 1891 she ran into a ferocious gale that whipped up ... on a special medal that was awarded to each crew member of the lifeboat. ...'

The site is www.thisisfolkestone.co.uk/benvenue.htm but unfortunately it no linger exists however,
Cont......

[Mutley]

There is quite a lot of information online about the Benvenue.
Try http://www.sandgate-kent.org.uk/wrecks.htm
This site has a drawing with the caption:
'Wreck of the three-masted BENVENUE November 1891. Coastguards attempt rescue with rocket apparatus and field gun'

Sounds like a good way to get a medal :)

Regards,
Mutley

[TerryW]

Mike,

If you can get access to The Times online archive you will find quite a few articles about the "Gales and Wrecks" including the loss of some of the Lydd and Sandgate lifeboat crews and the subsequent inquiry. Dates are 12th to 20th November 1891. Couldn't find anything specific about William BROE but the weather was absolutely horrendous with quite a few vessels lost. Presumably he did something heroic for which the Norwegians were grateful.

Regards,

Terry

[mikebroe]

Thanks to everyone who replied. This gives me quite something to go on. This was my first attempt and I am very impressed.

Thanks again

Mike