On December 16th 1914, three German warships attacked towns on the East Coat of England, including Hartlepool. The attack lasted from 8:10am to 8:50 am killing more than 100 people and injuring many more.Hartlepool was defended by guns at the Heugh and Lighthouse Batteries located on the Headland at Hartlepool.
The Gunners of the RGA engaged the German Warships, and it was the only time coastal artillery in the UK were involved in enemy action. Casualties included the first serviceman to be killed on British soil in WW1 and two Gunners from the Durham RGA.
Bombardment of Hartlepool Light House Battery 16th December 1914
The three German ships were the battle cruisers Seydlitz and Moltke, and the older, armoured cruiser, Blucher. They had much larger guns than the defending guns on the Hartlepool Batteries. The warships fired 1150 shells (some up to 11 in., or 27 cm, in diameter) into the Hartlepools. The two coastal defence batteries on the Heugh managed to return fire with 123 shells, the largest of which was 6 in.(15 cm) in diameter.
The Hartlepool coastline was defended by four destroyers, two light cruisers and a submarine. Two gun batteries defended the towns. The Heugh Battery, originally built in 1859, had two 6-inch guns, which were installed in 1899.
The Lighthouse Battery, built in 1855, was approximately 150 yards (137 m) to the south. It was originally armed with four 64-pounder guns, which were replaced in 1907 by one 6-inch gun. The Batteries were manned by 320 officers and men from the 18th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (the PALS), and The Durham Royal Garrison Artillery (the Territorial Army).
Officers and Men of Durham RGA
on day of the bombardment
Durham Royal Garrison Artillery Casualties
By the time the German ships left large areas of the Headland and West Hartlepool had been destroyed. Altogether 127 people were killed as a result of the attack, and another 400 were wounded, some suffering horrific injuries. Included in the casualties were 8 servicemen, 5 from the 18th Battalion DLI, 1 Sapper and Gunners Houston and Spence of the Durham Royal Garrison Artillery.
Heugh Battery
Memorial to first British Soldier killed on British Soil
(d.16th Dec 1914) Gnr. Houston was killed by a German shell at Heugh Battery whilst acting as a stretcher barer along with Gnr Spence, attempting to rescue those men wounded by the first shell of the Bombardment.
(d.16th Dec 1914) Gnr. Spence was killed by a German shell at Heugh Battery whilst acting as a stretcher barer along with Gnr Houston, attempting to rescue those men wounded by the first shell of the Bombardment.
Hartlepool Bombardment Memorials
Hartlepool Bombardment Memorial
Hartlepool Headland
