The Lodge meets at the Crabble Corn Mill, (cottages),
Lower Road, River, Dover, Kent. CT17 0UY
The lodge meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 8 p.m.
Lodge Secretary: Bro. Harry Reid ROH
Crabble Corn Mil
Bobby Smith, Bro Harry Reid ROH & Bro Glenn Duck KOM P.G.Primo
Bobby Smith & Brothers Glenn and Harry as members of the Dover Patrol Lodge attended the Zeebrugge Raid Commemoration on Sunday 23rd April at St James Cemetery, Dover to mark the 98th anniversary and in respect of those Brave men who gave their lives on the Dover Patrol raid back in 1918.
THE NAME OF THE DOVER PATROL
During the First World War, Dover Patrol was the name given to those seamen who kept the English Channel open they formed a discrete unit of the Royal Navy who were based at Dover and Dunkirk for the duration of the First World War. The primary task of the Dover Patrol was simple; to prevent enemy shipping and in the main submarines from accessing the English Channel en route to the Atlantic Ocean, thereby forcing the German Navy to travel the much longer route via Scotland.
On (St. George's Day) 23rd April 1918 the Dover Patrol's "finest hour" they launched an attack on Zeebrugge to seal in the German U. Boats, in what was their home port. Casualties were heavy and eight Victoria Crosses were awarded, the raid raised the moral of the Nation and to this day, a remembrance ceremony is held every St. George's Day in Dover.
During the course of the First World War it has been estimated that approximately 125,000 allied supply ships passed through the Dover Patrol area, of which only 73 were lost to enemy German submarines, a remarkably effective record.
In 1921 the Dover Patrol Memorial was erected on the Cliffs at St. Margaret's Bay just outside Dover. The memorial is dedicated to those brave men who gave their lives in the Zeebrugge Raid and for the keeping open of the Channel for the duration of WW1..
The Dover Patrol Lodge No. 3765 was opened on the 20th August 1921 at the Prince Imperial Hotel, which overlooked the quay, where the Dover Patrol Heroes set sail on the dangerous and arduous voyages. It was also where thousands of our gallant boys left for distant fronts and also where so many of our maimed and wounded lads were received back home again.
The lodge was opened by Bro. H.C. Ebbutt, K.O.M. and it's name dedicated in full respect to the memory of those same brave men. The three Founder members of the Lodge were Bro. W.B.Traynor V.C. R.O.H. Bro. W.S. Lilliett K.O.M. and Bro. D.A. Sherman K.O.M. Twelve new brothers were initiated by Bro. Ebbutt, K.O.M. All present were impressed by the various ceremonials that he conducted so well. For reasons unknown a new home was found during 1922 and the lodge moved to the Griffin Inn, Folkestone Road and the meetings were held on a Friday evening.
Click on memorial picture for more information.
Bro. William Bernard TRAYNOR V.C. R.O.H
A Founder member of the Dover Patrol 3765
He served as a Sergeant in the 2nd Bn., The West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales Own). On the 6th February 1901, at Bothwell Camp, South Africa, during a night attack, Sergeant Traynor ran out of a trench under extremely heavy fire to help a wounded man. While running he was wounded and being unable to carry the man himself, called for assistance. A Lance Corporal came to him and between them they carried the wounded soldier into shelter. Afterwards, in spite of his wounds, Sergeant Traynor remained in command of his Section, encouraging his men until the attack on them failed.
Bro. William Traynor V.C. was born in Hull on the 31st December 1870 and was of Irish decent and his name is on the Irish Roll of Honour. On the 20th October 1954 aged 83 Bro. Traynor passed away. He is buried at Charlton Cemetery in Dover, Kent. To this day his memory lives on within the S. E. Kent Province and his regalia still hangs in the Dover Patrol Lodge along with his picture.
click on V.C. to learn more on the man and the sale of his medals.
Looking After the Grave of our Founder Member.
The Dover Patrol Lodge found out that the grave of one it's founders William Traynor V.C. was in a very poor condition so decidded that it would try and tidy the grave up. The first photo shows the origional state of the grave prior to the clean up. The second picture is after the hard work was done and of course the third picture was after the local press got to know about bringing back the grave of a Victoria Cross winner to a respectable condition, a condition it is now kept in by the members.