A local historian has asked Emmaus Dover to host a memorial event for four servicemen who were killed clearing mines left on Shakespeare Beach during World War Two at our community home in Archcliffe Fort.
A bugler and the Queens Regimental Association Corps of Drummers will play at the remembrance event, which is open to all, for the Royal Engineers outside Emmaus Dover’s charity shops and services off Archcliffe Road in Dover at 1pm on August 31.
Standards will fly on behalf of the Royal Engineers and the Royal British Legion at the event, which is open to all, and will be attended by the family of one of the servicemen.
The historic fort, which overlooks Shakespeare Beach was used by the Royal Engineers in Dover until the 1950s and was an integral part of Dover’s defence during World War Two.
When English Heritage took control of the site, it agreed a lease with Emmaus Dover, a charity providing a home, support and work opportunities to people who have experience of homelessness.
Emmaus Dover will host visitors to the special memorial event and display a plaque on the front of Archcliffe Fort Charity Shop and Café, which will be open for refreshments following the ceremony.
Emmaus Dover supporter, local historian and author, Phil Eyden, said: “When I saw this in old copies of the Dover Express online, I thought, ‘I wonder who knows about this?’. I went to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Royal Engineers Historical Society to find out more and tracked down the family of George Young online via the Ancestry website.
“During the war the beaches were covered in landmines, barbed wire and pill boxes. Whole beaches were mined stretching from Hastings to Norfolk. Sappers who were diffusing bombs in London were redeployed to get rid of beach mines, when they were no longer needed from 1943 onwards.
“Thanks to Emmaus Dover, we have been able to find a part of the fort that is not listed where we could fix the plaque and host this event so we can remember them.”
Sapper George Young died alongside fellow private Joseph Hayes by an exploding mine on September 3 1945. Corporal Charles Easton and Sapper Frank Fibbens met the same fate on 24 March 1944.
George’s family will say a few words during the ceremony and Phil will give a short talk about local history.
Chief Executive of Emmaus Dover, Debbie Stevenson, said: “We are proud to be able to support such an important event to remember people who carried out this vital service for the country. What happened on the beaches should not be forgotten. We are glad our homelessness charity can perform a role in this remembrance event for the local community.”
Save the date to attend the memorial event at Emmaus Dover’s Archcliffe Fort from 1pm on August 31.