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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100 years ago this week (June 1925) Dartmouth Town Council finally agreed to build new houses in Avery’s Meadow, a field on the south side of Victoria Road at the sharp bend. Four houses were built to start with, then ten more. After receiving tenders from building firms, the Council decided to employ direct labour to reduce costs. Eventually 26 houses were built.![]()
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The Council had rented Avery’s Meadow in early 1918 for allotments for wartime food production, with an option to purchase for new housing development. ![]()
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Between 1919-1924, three housing acts were brought in by successive governments – the coalition under Lloyd George, the Conservatives under Stanley Baldwin and the first Labour government under Ramsey MacDonald. ![]()
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As each tried to get more houses built, frequent changes in central government policy caused delays, as did local political arguments – Labour councillors wanted to build houses for rent, Conservatives favoured helping people to buy. Post-war inflation tripled building costs. Even with central government subsidies and increased rates, it was difficult to build new houses at a price working people could afford, whether buying or renting. So progress in meeting Dartmouth’s needs for new housing was slow.![]()
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There's more on housing and health in Dartmouth in the 1920s in the article by Jonathan Turner in the current edition of By The Dart.![]()
#localhistory #Dartmouth #bythedart
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