Folkestone Harbour Arm Remembrance Weekend

Event Information

In 1914, when Germany invaded Belgium, they fled to the UK and over 100,000 arrived in Folkestone as refugees. By 1916, troops were leaving from Folkestone Harbour on commandeered tourist ferries to join the war on the Continent and further afield. By 1918, nearly 10 million service men and women had left from Folkestone, and many had returned, some as invalids, but all with their own experiences of what they had witnessed. In World War II, Folkestone, along with Dover and Hawkinge, made up an area called Hellfire Corner. Hawkinge was the closest airfield to the Continent, and Folkestone and Dover were significant ports for ship, supplies and to secure Britain. Hitler had a plan to capture both ports, but first he needed to win supremacy over the skies – and the Battle of Britain was fought in 1941. We know the outcome, the Luftwaffe was unable to defeat the RAF, and Germany had to reevaluate its plan. However, Folkestone was still under attack, as the planes that had raided London, emptied their remaining bombs on the South East before returning to Germany. On 5^th October 1942, Customs House, which covered most of the area of today’s car park, was bombed. The devastation was such that most of the building was pulled down. Today, only the luggage room remains, and it’s here the exhibition will be held. from 6^th to 11^th November. Throughout Folkestone Station there will be poppies planted to remember all those who have served and lost their lives in conflicts throughout the years.