Folkestone Warren Great Landslip 1915

 

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Railway 1892

The photo below was taken looking towards Martello Tunnel with back to Dover. Martello Tunnel (13 chains long), situated between Dover and Folkestone can be seen to the rear of the train in the photo. The tunnel was Named after the Martello Tower situated off the picture to the left. Martello

The Warren is situated in Folkestone on the south east corner of Kent. It is a natural beauty spot with a local camp site, beach and regular visits from ramblers across the country.

During the nights in the Warren the glow of lamps gives away the location of the collectors of the rare moths that can be found here. On the 19th December 1915 the one a three quarter miles of under cliff supporting the main line slipped at Folkestone Warren. It was estimated that 1.5 million cubic metres of chalk slipped or fell creating dramatic changes to the landscape that can still be seen today. Due to the Great War in Europe and the scale of this landslide the line remained closed for three and half years until 11th August 1919.

The closure was kept quiet until after the war in the hope that the Germans would not target the alternative route to Dover, via Faversham, which became the only rail connection for the transportation of troops, food and ammunition to and from the front line.

The details when revealed by the South East and Chatham Railway were described as follows:

"The 18.10 Ashford to Victoria left Folkestone Junction with 300 Passengers, mainly troops on board. Three Watchmen stationed at Abbotscliffe Signal Box in the Warren, witnessed the chalk fall from the high cliff and proceeded towards Folkestone displaying a red flag draped over a lamp. The train emerged from Martello Tunnel into the Warren and was rapidly brought to a standstill. The passengers were taken off the train while the ground beneath continued to slide."

An Old Postcard of The Warren