Memory on the SPOT. A controversial Memory!.Harwich's Beacon Hill is the town's second military monument,although there remains uncertainty over its restoration and long term use.The site exhibits an amalgamation of structures and earthworks,originally from the Napoleonic period and the extensive construction of 1889-91,but now mainly from the 1st and 2nd.World Wars.However there is some controversy over its value both in terms of military history and it's potential in the local Tourist market.infact some historians and conservationists claim it to be more important than fully realised,suggesting that one building is infact an early Radar Tower.But one man's memory disputes this assertion: "I did serve on Beacon Hill from 1939 until August 1943,during which time I was in the 'Battery Observation Post',also relieving Fire Command landguard Fort.During my time the building you are referring to was strictly out of bounds to all Army personnel.The building was manned by Royal Navy personnel during my time;it had no contact with the artillery defences in any shape or form.I would have known as I was in the Command Post and towards the end of my time I was in the B.C.ae.(Battery Commanders assistant)when on duty.They didn't report any fall of shot when we had exercises,they had no contact what so ever with us".Mr l Baker,Dovercourt. Essex Record Office

A Haven of tranquility COX's POND is a delightfully peaceful oasis,situated just before the entrance to the Old Town.It contains a pond-of course!-a fountain,public seats,ducks and geese.But in earlier years it was also something of a childrens'playground as recalled by MRS B...she remembers:'The fun had by the children hunting for coins in Coxs Pond.Girls would often wade into the water with their dresses tucked into their knickers,and occasionally have the great delight of finding the 'Top prize' of half-a-crown which had thrown into the water by a passer by....it was a great deal of money in those days!' Essex Record office

Fryatts Funeral The execution of Capt.Charles Fryatt,following a German court-martial,provoked a storm of outrage at the time.After the war his body was exhumed and brought to England.He was subsequently buried in All Saints Churchyard on july 9th 1919. Here is how the day of the funeral was remembered: It has been retold by Mrs jo hart and is the recollections of her Mother Mrs Mabel Short-nee Vincent-born 1909.She recalled the occasion when as a young child after the First World War,and a pupil at the Catholic School(situated opposite Cox's Pond)she was dressed in her "Sunday best",and together with her elder sister Phoebe and brother George,they took part in the procession accompanying the funeral cortege of First world War hero Captain Fryatt who had been executed by the Germans in 1916,when his body was re-interred in All Saints churchyard,UpperDovercourt. She and the other children were assembled at the then 'Alexander Hotel' on the corner of Kingsway and Marine Parade,and joined the procession behind the cortege,which had arrived for his burial by rail from London,as it made its way up to All Saints Church for the ceremony.(She believed the coffin was carried on a gun-carriage).His execution as a civilian had caused a public outcry in the country and his funeral was a sombre and awesome occasion. The local Hospital was built to his memory and was known as the Fryatt memorial Hospital. Essex Record Office

Shine a light Dovercourt lighthouses were built in 1862-3 to replace the defunct structures at Harwich.Having been restored in the 1980s they are now an important landmark on the Dovercourt sea front. Some years ago Mr W C Good of Dovercourt recalled working for Trinity house in the early 1900s.This is his memory of working in the lighthouses: 'I was a relieving assistant keeper at both lighthouses during the early part of 1915.The lights were then only lit on instructions from military command at Landguard Fort when naval ships wanted to enter or leave the harbour.The accommodation in both lighthouses was practically identical-a small entrance hall,a staircase to the lantern room,a living room with cooking stove,a bedroom with bunks and a flush toilet. Water and town gas was laid on with telephones in both lighthouses and the lighthouses could easilly have been converted into summer holiday accommodation when the council took them over. The low light was approached by the causeway at about half tide and one could sit on the balcony at high tide and pick up whelks and other shell fish.The lantern lights used town gas.'.Note;The lights were discontinued in 1917 Essex Record Office

Zeppelin Terror During the 1914-18 war a new form of warfare-aerial bombardment-must have brough terror and shock to many Harwich residents.Infact,the feelings are still with some elderly folk..... Mrs Tye(ex.Morsley)recalled a heavy raid in 1915.She was then a child living in Lee Road,Dovercourt,but still remembers the terrible noise as the bomb-dropped by the Zeppelin-exploded and devestated their home at No.5 Lee Road.People,she recalls,were milling around the lane at the back of the properties,all hoping to get a glimpse of the "hole big enough to drive a horse and cart through",caused by the bomb explosion. At the same time a naval officer,Mr William Saunnders,stationed at Harwich as a member of the 'Harwich force'was making a note of these raids in his diary.He wrote: June 17th 1917.0310 a.m..Zepp raid on Harwich and Felixstowe,all ships in harbour engaged them.0340 a.m.one shot down in flames. August 26th 1917.Zepp raid on Harwich. Sept.2nd.1917.Zepp raid on Harwich,all ships fired at her;dropped six bombs,made off. Essex Record Office