Raid 39 - 1 March 1916
The Raid
A Seaplane came in over Margate at 6.10pm. Went down to Cliftonville and Kingsgate both of which were bombed. Plane was back over the Channel at 6.27pm.
Victims & Damage
A baby was killed in Norfolk Road, Cliftonville.
Houses were damaged in Cliftonville and Percy Avenue in Kingsgate. Bombs were also dropped on the Golf course at Kingsgate with no damage.
Summary
The Thanet Advertiser of the 4th March reports the 9 month old baby died as a result of head wounds, it was being held when a bomb dropped close by and was dropped receiving the injuries.
Some of the bombs fell close to where a concert party for wounded soldiers was being held, which carried on as if nothing was happening.
Weather – Overcast and unsettled, rain over Kent.
Response – No action was taken, the weather wasn’t good and the raid was over within half an hour.
Bombs – 7
Killed – 1
Injured – 0
Raid details taken from Aeroplane and Seaplane Raids, 1914 - 1916, Complied by the Intelligence Section, General Headquarters, Home Forces, published June 1917. (National Archive AIR/1/2123)
Header Photo - Cliftonville from Frances Firth Collection