Useful Links
Below are links to external websites that you may find useful.
- Explore the archives and view original documents at the Devon Heritage Centre.
- The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales.
- The Devon History Society is is a registered charity that promotes the study of all aspects of Devon’s history.
- The South West Maritime History Society encourages interest in all aspects of maritime history and promotes research in these fields, leading where possible to the publication of the results of such studies.
- GENUKI provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland.
- The Dartmouth Directory is an online resource for all things in and around Dartmouth, including accommodation, shopping, estate agents, education and hospitals.
- The Blackawton & Street History Group aims to research, collate and record historical information on the twin parishes of Blackawton and Strete publicise activities and outcomes.
- Dartmouth Museum is a small but fascinating museum which occupies part of the historic Butterwalk, a terrace of rich merchants’ houses built in 1640.
- The Kingswear Devon website provides an abundance of information on Kingswear, on the opposite side of the Dart from Dartmouth.
- The Devon Family History Society promotes the study of genealogy and history, especially of Devon families and places.
- The Friends of Devon Archive promotes the preservation and use of historical records throughout Devon and to raise public awareness of their importance for research and education.
- The Devon Rural Archive in Shilstone, Modbury is an independant heritage centre for the study of Devon’s buildings and landscapes.
- Based in Totnes in South Devon, the Totnes Image Bank & Rural Archive is a volunteer-run historic photographic archive.
- Dartmouth’s Great War Fallen is a website dedicated to all those commemorated in the town of Dartmouth who died as a result of their service to their country, during or shortly after the Great War.
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80 years ago today, early in the morning on 7 May 1945, General Eisenhower accepted the unconditional surrender of all Germany’s armed forces. With the rest of Britain, Dartmouth heard the news later that day on the radio. Third Officer WRNS Patricia Thornycroft remembered:![]()
“The message spread through Dartmouth with the speed of lightning. The always welcome “All Clear” on the sirens brought everyone onto the streets to shout, cheer, clap, sing and dance ... When the glorious sound of the church bells rang ... I don’t think there were many dry eyes. As the next day dawned, thoughts of celebrations were uppermost. Union Jacks of all sizes appeared from the windows and the rooftops of most houses. Where they did not, one’s hearts and prayers went out in deepest sympathy and understanding.”![]()
In nearly six years of war, Patricia herself had lost two brothers, her fiancé, and many friends. ![]()
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Some of Dartmouth’s war memorials are shown in the picture. Our book, When War Came to the Dart, published 2021, tells the story of those tumultuous years. It includes a roll of honour of all those commemorated locally who died during the Second World War. At our meeting on Monday 12 May, to mark VE Day 80, there will be a short talk about “Researching Dartmouth’s returning Prisoners of War”. For time and venue, see our website.![]()
#dartmouth #localhistory #discoverdartmouth #VE80
100 years ago this week, which was just after Easter, newspapers reported the results of "Egg Day" in local schools:![]()
“Dartmouth Cottage Hospital obtained 1558 eggs ... Dartmouth Girls Council School contributed 144, Boys’ School, 150; Infants, 90; Catholic School, 133; Secondary School, 179; Dittisham Church School, 120,; Kingswear School, 111; Stokefleming School, 117; Bedford House School, 127; Broadstone School, 48; Fairview College, 306; and Mrs Woodward’s market basket, 33.”![]()
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The National Egg Collection for the Wounded began during the Great War. Local branches ran collections and ensured eggs brought in by the public reached local hospitals promptly. The practice continued after the war to help provide a nourishing diet for sick and convalescing patients in local hospitals (and because it was an eggsellent idea ..!)![]()
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Wishing you all a Happy Easter exploring our local history!![]()
#localhistory #discoverdartmouth #Dartmouth
If you're in Dartmouth, come and see us for a local history chat on Friday 11 April 2025 in Dartmouth Library, in the Flavel Centre, from 10am to 12noon. We can't promise a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but we'll do our best to answer your questions about people and events in Dartmouth's rich history, or perhaps we can help you look into your family or house history. We look forward to meeting you!![]()
A big thank you to Dartmouth Libr#LocalHistoryn#dartmoutha#dartmouthlibraryt#flavelmouthlibrary #flavel
One hundred years ago this week Hauley Road was opened for traffic. In fine weather, a large crowd watched the Mayor, Dr H J Campbell, cut the tape.![]()
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Connecting Newcomen Road to the Embankment, Hauley Road replaced the narrow Burrough’s Slip. Newspapers reported that “the old-fashioned construction of the lower part of the town, with its narrow alleys and roads, has proved a great inconvenience ... with the ever-increasing amount of traffic on the roads, a new thoroughfare to lead to the Quay without using the narrow corner in Fairfax Place was a necessity”. ![]()
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The Town Council had purchased a large block of old property running the whole length of Burrough’s Slip, four years before, and demolished the buildings. The new road was “a very pleasant public thoroughfare with a wide pavement on either side”. The rest of the land was soon to be used for shops and for building the Hospital extension.![]()
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Though the road was very much a modernising improvement, the Town Council chose to name it after John Hawley d1408, Dartmouth's most prominent medieval resident. He may well have known the buildings demolished to make way for the road named after him!![]()
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#dartmouth #localhistory #discoverdartmouth #devoninthe1920s
Here’s a question on International Women’s Day. How many women are remembered in Dartmouth’s street names? If we discount Britannia Avenue, named (presumably) for HMS Britannia, the answer seems to be only one - Queen Victoria. She visited Dartmouth on several occasions, the first time as a girl, in 1833. When she became Queen in 1837, Victoria Place, newly built at the time, was named for her accession.![]()
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Ten years later she and her husband Prince Albert paid a brief call in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert; and in 1846 they stopped overnight in the harbour due to bad weather. Victoria wrote in her journal that Dartmouth reminded her of “the beautiful Rhine”, a phrase much used afterwards to promote the town to visitors. ![]()
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Her fourth visit was in August 1856, again in the yacht. After an official reception, the Royal Party toured choice coastal viewpoints by carriage. The Royal Yacht remained overnight, with all the houses illuminated by candlelight. Dartmouth Regatta was due to start so she donated a prize of £25; and from then on, it was the Royal Regatta. The whole visit was front page news in the Dartmouth Chronicle. But it was not until her Diamond Jubilee, in 1897, that the New Road (completed in 1826) was renamed Victoria Road, in her honour. ![]()
#dartmouth #localhistory #internationalwomensday![]()
Photo left, the listed street name on the old medical centre marks Victoria Place, and photo right, Victoria Road, looking east towards the town centre.