Humphrey Gilbert blue plaque

This blue commemorative plaque records: Born at Greenway on the Dart, he became a courtier in Queen Elizabeth I's reign and served in France and Ireland. In 1566 he wrote a discourse promoting a north-west passage to China. Sir Humphrey Gilbert 1539-1583 In 1583 he colonised Newfoundland thus founding Britian's Overseas Empire. He was later lost at sea crying out "We are as near to heaven by sea as by land" Recorded plaque organisation: Dartmouth and Kingswear Society.

Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a courtier under Queen Elizabeth I, played a crucial role in British colonial expansion by establishing the first English colony in North America at Newfoundland in 1583, marking the beginning of Britain's overseas empire.