small brass plaque in a church in Dover

I've dredged up a memory of being taken to Dover by my grandparents when I was a child, I can recall looking at a brass plaque (in a church) commemorating those who had lost their lives during WW2, the only other thing that I can remember about that day was my grandad saying something about being involved in designing it.

I would really like to find out where/what Church it is/was in and any other information about it.

Does anyone have any idea what/where I'm on about.

 

Well, knowing his Name might help the search!
Was he employed at any particular company that could have made the plaque, where was he working or any other clues, as for an info seeker you don't give much away!

 

I think there is a project in Dover to make a written Record of those who died in WW2. Have you done any internet research- I think you might find something. Try searching Dover War Memorial Project. Its all there with a searchable index.

 

Sorry Kevin, Grandad was in the RA and after the war had numerous postings along the South Coast, Dover being one of them, his name was Eric Gartside, WO1, retired 1958.

Never worked for a company that could have made the plaque.

 

Kevin, Have just looked up Dover War Memorial Project. There are pictures of a war memorial outside a church. The site is interesting and I am sure if you used it to get in touch you would be able to track down the name of the church and take it from there.

 

Nothing on the Dover War Memorial website. It was 40yrs ago so I suppose the church and plaque could be long gone.

 

Derek (Dovermarine) may be able to help. He lives in Dover and is a font of knowledge on all things WW2 in his town.

 

If Grandad Eric retired in 1958 and you visited this church in Dover with him 40 years ago, that puts it around 1974 when he'd (presumably) be close to 80.
Why would he have been involved in designing it when you say he never seems to have been involved in that line?

Was the plaque to do with the Royal Artillery, had he been stationed on say. one of the railway guns, anti aircraft defences or what.
Knowing WHY he was involved might give the breakthrough.

Do you know anything about his war service?

 

Kevin, He was in the Royal Artillery (coastal defenses), Middle East 1941-45, posted to various locations along the South Coast 1945-58 one of which was Dover, he retired (or whatever it's called)from the Army in 1958, at the age of 46. He remained down south,worked in civvy street and retired in the 70's.

I can only assume that it was sometime during his time in Dover that he did this.

 

Kevin, I know the answer you want is not on the Dover War Memorial Website but there are pictures of a church and contact details. If you emailed them I am sure you will spark interest and get a response. Don't just "wonder if" but act , following the voice in your head!

 

Thanks chaps.

VP, thanks for the links, I'm afraid that the visual clues have not managed to jog the grey matter.

Drew, thanks for suggesting Derek, do you think he would mind me sending a PM?

 

No - send away, he's a very decent chap

 

Thanks Drew.

Owen, I'm recovering from surgery to my foot, so wandering around every church in Dover is not an option ATM, recovery could take months (with rehab/physio) and then I could still have limitations.

 

A letter to a local paper could be emailed. People are ready to help if you ask

 

I have sent a few pictures of what I hope is the plaque to infoseeker that was in the garrison church at the castle. She will get back to me when she has a yes or no.




here is photo.

 

Many thanks to dovermarine, unfortunately I'm still very much in the dark about this particular plaque.

I have some information from a relative re dates and quarters, and also about other locations, I'm slowly building up a picture of my grandparents lives, filling in the gaps in the conversations I had with my nan.

Drew5233, thank you for suggesting dovermarine.

Shiny thanks for your suggestions too.

 

Infoseeker, Have you had a really good browse of the Dover Memorial Project website? There are several links to churches and some even have pictures of the interiors with plaques. Not all are brass but it might trigger a memory..

 

Shiny, I've spent hours looking over the website and have already sent them an email, nothing I saw on there jogged my memory.

I don't think I was interested in Churches or plaques when I was about 10, lol.