Roll of Honour - Devon - Dartmouth and Kingswear Sea Cadets

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

DARTMOUTH AND KINGSWEAR SEA CADETS WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

World War 2 - Detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Gill Cannell & Andrew Dishman 2018

The memorial is to eb foudn in the Royal Gardens on the B3205 North Embankment, Dartmouth, and takes the form of a small rectangular raised flower bed with five stylised poppies, designed and maintained by Dartmouth Green Partnerships at the potager on the riverfront in Dartmouth, with a plaque next to the garden with an interpretation panel with further information, designed by Deep Blue Signs. Sponsored by the Dartmouth & Kingswear Society. More details can be found here.

The Sacrifice made
By Five Dartmouth and Kingswear Sea Cadets

The first Sea cadets were formed in Dartmouth in the early 1940s and consisted of about 30 boys, all
under 18 years of age. In 1943, five of these young Sea cadets from Dartmouth and Kingswear,
aged between 15 and 16, volunteered to help the war effort by becoming part of the crew of the cable laying ship HMTS Alert.

During the 2nd World War the work these cable laying ships took on was essential as the kept (sic)
communication and fuel lines open. HMTS Alert was involved with 'Operation Pluto' and was
responsible for laying underwater fuel lines from the Isle of Wight to mainland Europe, coinciding with
the D Day landings.

During their two year service, these young boys continued to wear their
Dartmouth Sea cadets uniform in service and worked under naval
discipline. Then, on February 25, 1945, a few months before the end of
the war, whilst repairing the Dumpton Gap - La Penne cable, HMTS Alert
was destroyed by a mine in the channel off Dover.

All 59 men on board were lost, including all five Dartmouth boys. It is
easy to imagine how the loss of five brave young local boys, aged
between 17 and 18 at the time of their deaths, must have rocked the
twon, even in such times when loss was part of everyday life.

PETERS	Gerald [Raymond]	Died Feb 1945, aged 18. Seaman, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom), Merchant Navy. Died 24 February 1945. Aged 18. Son of Henry and E. M. Peters, of Dartmouth, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London. Panel 5.
BLAMEY	Ronald [Frederick Robert]	Died Feb 1945, aged 18. Assistant Steward, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom), Merchant Navy. Died 24 February 1945. Aged 18. Son of William H. and Ruby G. Blamey, of Dartmouth, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London. Panel 4.
HURFORD	Harold [Frederick]	Died 1945, aged 18 Seaman, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom), Merchant Navy. Died 24 February 1945. Aged 18. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London. Panel 5.
WILLIAMS	Francis	Died 1945, aged 17 Assistant Steward, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom), Merchant Navy. Died 24 February 1945. Aged 17. Son of Walter G. and Elisa S. Williams, of Dartmouth, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London. Panel 5.
KITT	[Edwin] Kenneth [John]	Died 1945, aged 17 Assistant Steward, Cable Ship Alert (United Kingdom), Merchant Navy. Died 24 February 1945. Aged 17. Son of John and M. K. Kitt, of Dartmouth, Devon. No known grave. Commemorated on TOWER HILL MEMORIAL, London. Panel 5.

"HE HOLDETH OUR SOULS IN LIFE"

Last updated 9 May, 2020

War Memorials Trust