Sandwich Kent England UK: History Timeline - 1700 to 1999

Royal assent given on 25th April to build a bridge across the Haven.

Drawbridge built by public subscription.

Thomas Paine was in business in Sandwich and married a local woman
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Legend of the 4th Earl of Sandwich - click here for the possible origin of the sandwich as an item of food.

Dredging of the Haven and River Stour to remove silt, but only had a temporary effect.

The railway came to Sandwich.

A Great Election Scandal. A local inquiry was held into alledged bribary and corruption in the paliamentary election of 1880.

The judge lodged at Flint house in High Street and travelled to the hearing every day in the horse and coach pictured on the left.

Royal St. George's Golf Links founded by Dr. Laidlaw Purves.

Photograph of the clubhouse, taken about 1920.

New Toll Bridge built

A major military supply depot and port established at Richborough near Sandwich.

Tens of thousands of tons of stores passed through.

One of the first in the world 'roll on roll off' or 'ro-ro' train ferries was used.

Refugees from Nazi persecution welcomed.

The old military depot occupied by HMS Robertson marine base and parts of the Mulberry harbour built for D-Day.

Sandwich is twinned with its old enemy, Honfleur.

500 years after the terrible French attack of 1457, the mayor of Sandwich paid a visit to the town of Honfleur as a token of forgiveness.

Sandwich Borough status was cancelled and although the interests of Sandwich are now represented by elected members in Dover District Council, Sandwich Town Council remains. Sandwich has a long history of fighting battles and defending its interests - the battles are now fought on a local political level.