Clacton-on-Sea and the Surrounding Coastline in the Great War

Clacton-on-Sea and the surrounding coastline is part of the Sunshine Coast, an area of sandy beaches and low-level cliffs facing the North Sea. This book gives a brief history of the major nearby villages Brightlingsea, St Oysths, Clacton on Sea, Holland on Sea, Frinton and Walton on the Naze as they developed from agricultural areas, to seaside resorts in the mid to late 1800s, and then into heavily defended hives of activity. They were considered by the authorities to be convenient spots for foreign invasion and, as a result, mock invasion exercises at Clacton had taken place since the early 1900s. Being close to the sea, many of the inhabitants were heavily involved with yachting and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, so it's not surprising that a great number joined the Royal or Merchant Navy. Brightlingsea became a major naval port and the Australian and New Zealander's Engineers trained there for four years. Clacton itself saw over a 1,000 men sign up, and it also had a number of Military and Convalescent Homes that treated injured men. Middlesex Hospital, for one, treated over 9,000 men. The local villages produced a considerable number of men who were awarded the Military Medal/Cross, and Walton on the Naze produced one VC in Herbert Columbine. The tremendous efforts of others are also covered, in particular those of the local women folk. A number of appropriate poems, many written at the time, are included throughout the book, as well as rarely seen photographs and insightful reports from the local papers of that period. AUTHOR: Ken Porter was born in Laindon in 1944. He is a leading enthusiast in the Basildon Borough Heritage Group and Laindon and District Community Archive and gives talks to local societies. Ken's interest in the First World War began with the discovery of his maternal grandfather's involvement in, and injury at, the Battle of the Somme on the first day tanks were used. Ken's interest in the Clacton area stems from a childhood spent there. This is Ken's fifth book in the 'Your Towns and Citied in the Great War' series, the previous four being co-written with Steve Wynn. 100 illustrations

About the Author :
Ken Porter was born in Laindon in 1944\. He is a leading enthusiast in the Basildon Borough Heritage Group and Laindon and District Community Archive and gives talks to local societies. Ken's interest in the First World War began with the discovery of his maternal grandfather's involvement in, and injury at, the Battle of the Somme on the first day tanks were used. Ken's interest in the Clacton area stems from a childhood spent there. This is Ken's fifth book in the _Your Towns and Citied in the Great War_ series, the previous four being co-written with Steve Wynn. Ken has been married to his wife, Carol, for over fifty years and has three children and six grandchildren.