Archcliffe Fort in the First World War (Dover - RE & ASC)

[Phil Eyden]

I have just had delivery of my new book and thought I would let you know in case anyone would like one. 176 pages, 48,000 words and over 150 photos. I have only had 500 printed, so when they are gone.

 

This tells the story of the men of the RE in the Dover Garrison 1900-1920, in particular the Regulars of the 3rd Fortress Company and the Territorials of the Cinque Ports Fortress (RE) searchlight operators in the harbour. It is mainly based around dozens of 1917 photographs from Archcliffe Fort and elsewhere in Dover that were taken by and belonged to the fort's 17 year-old Typist Kathleen Bashford who you can see on the cover. It also covers what little we know about the Army Service Corps who used the same site.

 

The photos are really nice as they are all off-duty messing-about images, not the usual groups of men lined up against walls we usually see. They feature motorbikes, ferrets, snowball fights, and Territorial work parties. An Appendix is included listing biographies of all 127 members of the CPFRE. Lt. Col. David Calder was kind enough to write the foreword.

 

They are £15 from me directly (if you are in Dover) or £18.50 posted. Please let me know if you would like one.

 

I will also be signing copies at Archcliffe Fort itself (now Emmaus) on the afternoon of Saturday the 27th November.

 

Phil