During World War 1, millions of British and overseas soldiers, sailors and airmen crossed over to France by ship from Folkestone. They were joined by thousands of women, including an ever-increasing army of nurses, heading off to tend to the wounded in hospitals behind the front lines.
As they marched down the Road of Remembrance and round to Folkestone Harbour, the soldiers, in full kit and carrying their rifles, formed long snaking queues as they waited to board the troopships to France.
Sometimes there was time to visit the Harbour Canteen, a small cafe run by dedicated volunteers, including sisters Florence and Margaret Jeffrey and Mrs Napier Sturt. Here they received a friendly welcome, a free cup of tea or coffee, a sandwich or a bun.
Image courtesy of Kent County Council (Folkestone Library)
