Folkestone Pier

Folkestone

Above photo taken WW1. By kind permission of http://www.warrenpress.net

Above map circa 1918. By kind permission of http://www.warrenpress.net

Originally opened as a cafe run by sisters Margaret Ann and Florence Augusta Jeffrey, during WW1 for supplying free tea, cakes and buns to soldiers, sailors and members of the Red Cross as they left for the front during WWI.

Both ladies were awarded the order of the British Empire, the Queen Elizabeth medal (Belgium) and the medal of gratitude (France) for this service.

The cafe was located at the end of the landing stage on the Harbour pier.

Looking at the top photo on the table there is a book, was one of eight that contained the signatures of the thousands of men and women who passed through there. They contain records from King George V to the humblest private soldier, and usually included the date of visit, rank, name and corps or units. I believe they were being scanned and digitised to be made available to the public.

I believe in 2015 the Mole Cafe was restored and opened as the "Mole Hole," and also known as the "Harbour Arms." It later became the "Bathtub and Gun," but at present haven't a clue for how long.

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