Inside city hidden 90ft underground where hundreds lived during
World War Two to escape Nazi attacks and which had concerts and a hospital
Subterranean metropolis in Ramsgate, Kent, played home to
families who did not see light of day for months on end
families who did not see light of day for months on end
The hidden, two and a half mile-long, network underneath
Ramsgate in Kent formed an underground metropolis where
many lived for months on end without seeing the light of day.
Ramsgate in Kent formed an underground metropolis where
many lived for months on end without seeing the light of day.
Up to 300 families even adopted a completely subterranean life
after 500 bombs fell in just five minutes on August 24, 1940, obliterating
much of the town.
after 500 bombs fell in just five minutes on August 24, 1940, obliterating
much of the town.
Life underground was made to resemble life on the surface
as much as possible with street signs, canteens, shops, a hospitals
and even concerts staged there.
as much as possible with street signs, canteens, shops, a hospitals
and even concerts staged there.
These extraordinary photos were taken by Muriel lilley whose
late husband grew up in the Kent town and visited the tunnels while
on leave during the war.
late husband grew up in the Kent town and visited the tunnels while
on leave during the war.
She said: “It was like one big family down there, everyone knew each other.
You’d bump into neighbours or people that used to go to the same shops as you.
You’d bump into neighbours or people that used to go to the same shops as you.
“After so many people were made homeless by the bombs they just
moved into the tunnels permanently.
moved into the tunnels permanently.
“There were barbers down there, greengrocers, everything.
Some people would play music, and there were concert parties
to keep morale up.”
Some people would play music, and there were concert parties
to keep morale up.”
Phil Spain, of the Ramsgate Tunnels heritage group, added:
“The reality was that a lot of Ramsgate residents were evacuated,
so the tunnels could hold the whole town.
“The reality was that a lot of Ramsgate residents were evacuated,
so the tunnels could hold the whole town.
“At one point, there were just under 1,000 people living down there.
They’re unique in being the only civilian and not for military use tunnel network.
They’re unique in being the only civilian and not for military use tunnel network.
“It’s the most extensive underground public shelter system in the country,
if not the world.”
if not the world.”
Each tunnel was carved out of the cliff by hand with its deepest point
being 90ft below the surface.
being 90ft below the surface.
Ramsgate and the surrounding area had been badly bombed during
the First World War and in 1938, with war on the horizon,
Borough Engineer RD Brimmell applied to central government to
build a vast network of underground tunnels under the town.
the First World War and in 1938, with war on the horizon,
Borough Engineer RD Brimmell applied to central government to
build a vast network of underground tunnels under the town.
It was officially opened by the Duke of Kent in June 1939.
But despite their wartime connection, the largest of the tunnels actually
dates back much further than the Second World War and opened in October
1863 as a railway tunnel serving Ramsgate Harbour Station.
dates back much further than the Second World War and opened in October
1863 as a railway tunnel serving Ramsgate Harbour Station.
(The Sun, UK)
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