1904 Manoeuvres

Image: © Tony Peacock Taken: 7 Jul 2013

During 1898 Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was a threat to the peace of the East Coast, and to Great Britain causing the need for an invasion exercise. Between Clacton and Holland-on-Sea in the September of 1904 six cruisers were involved in the landing of two divisions who marched inland to Witham (about 25 miles). Troops defending the town of Witham held their position and the invading divisions retreated back to the coast to return to their respective ships. The coastal manoeuvres took place in the presence of the Inspector-General to the forces, non-other than Prince Arthur the third son and seventh child born to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is said that near to this spot Prince Arthur and Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia, the Duke and the Duchess of Connaught, with their three children; Princess Margaret Victoria Charlotte Augusta Norah (born 15 January 1882), Prince Arthur Frederick Patrick Albert (born 13 January 1883), and Princess Victoria Patricia Helena Elizabeth (born 17 March 1886), witnessed the landing of HM Troops in the attack of the County of Essex. As a note the road way has been resurfaced and a cycle path been developed and Haven Avenue is now Haven Gardens

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0