Historic Medway Guestbook

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Historic Medway : Search
There are now 274 messages in our guestbook.
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Viewing messages 124 to 75.

Msg 124: Barbara Hoyle | @

Please does anyone know what happened to 335 High Street, and also Featherstones store, which was further along from that? My Nanna was Eliza Glasswell and my mother- Ivy Glasswell. We used to spend all our holidays there at the cake supplies shop that they ran and Grandad used to deliver yeast all over the district. Maybe your older relations may remember- Grandad was also a founder member of the bowling club and Kent County champion.

Monday 4 February 2008 at 22:06:21 - Huddersfield

Msg 123: Pat Reece | @

Hi,sorry,I meant Burnham on Sea,musn't malign, it's a good place to live.I lwas so pleased when I found some pics of the Workhouse,as my poor Grandma Alice Bromleyand her sister Jane(age 10 & 13)ended up here when my Grt Gran Emma Bromley died of TB in 1880.Thelast person we knew of,was their sister Emma's(married John Fry)daughter Elizabeth Fry b 1890 d 1990 who lived in Magpie Hall Rd.,when she died.She had children herself,Hudsons?Always wanted to know if there are any living relations there to say Hi to. Pat

Monday 4 February 2008 at 14:35:05 - Burnham on Sea Somerset

Msg 122: Pat Reece | @

Love the site & info.My Gran,Grt.Gran,and Grt.Grt.Grandparents (Bromleys)are from Chatham.GGG a joiner at dockyard.Hve been trying to find Mill Lane,was there one?

Pat

Monday 4 February 2008 at 14:21:30 - Burnham on Sludge,Somerset

Webmaster comments Hi Pat

There's a Mill Lane in Luton, next to Chatham. It runs from Street End Road to Downsview.

It's at 51°22'1.62"N 0°32'37.91"E.

Regards

Jason

Msg 121: Bob(robert) bowring | @

I used to go to school at Upbury Manor I was there the year they had the fire in the science block cant remember what year this was can anyone help I know a fireman lost his life that day thanks any photos of the school would be gratefuly recieved

Sunday 3 February 2008 at 20:31:19 - gillingam

Msg 120: Elizabeth Cannon | @

Am interested in all saints because i believe that my great great grandmother was in the workhouse and later the hospital, many thanks for the great pictures and the insight. If you have any more could you please post them.

Tuesday 29 January 2008 at 10:03:03 - Cardiff, Wales

Msg 119: Paul Forster | @

Thankyou for this site. it has answered questions i have always wondered while growing up and living in Medway. i was born in Parkwood Rainham, and lived in Gillingham on Marlborough road overlooking the Lines, and on Chatham hill, so i have seen and wondered about many of the things around there. like the Medway hospital wall graffiti, and the blocked tunnels at the foot of Chaham Hill.
There is so much i didnt know about Medways history.. and im gratefull u have made this site.
do you know anything about a Radar Base near the Royal Engineers museum in Gillinham? The place I'm referring to we knew as Seven Stories, an underground complex now blocked up. It was between Prince Arthur Road Gillingham, and the dockyard (now the site of the Greenwich University Campus).
I remember the same kind of walled ditches as Amherst (its a part of the same system i believe) and a couple of steel doors, one was broken off when we went in, but welded shut when we returned a week or two later. There were 2 steel towers on the land above it that looked like WW2 radar antennas, but i have found no information about this place. It was fenced off and overgrown when i went back years later to see it. can you help find out about this place?

Tuesday 29 January 2008 at 09:27:58

Msg 118: Stephen

Thankyou so much for developing your excellent website, with all the photographs of the Medway Towns. It ALL brings back a lot of memories.

The Medway Towns was a lovely place, and with the military presence from the Royal Naval Dockyard, Brompton Army Barracks and Fort Amherst, gave Chatham and the Medway, a real character and historical identity.

So many people have moved and left behind the Medway Towns and the closure of the ABC Chatham Cinema, next to the Tesco, was awful. However I hope to see the Medway Towns one day economically and financially return, with strong British Culture!

Saturday 26 January 2008 at 00:42:45 - UK

Msg 117: Bob (robert) Bowring | @

just found this site its wonderful. I was brought up in twydall attended the local schools. went on to upbury manor. Has any one got any old photos of twydall please. thanks keep up the good work on the site

Friday 25 January 2008 at 19:01:42 - twydall

Msg 116: Bernadette Keane | @

Fab site, i was born at all saints in 58' had 6 children there, lived in strood ,chatham and most of my life in rochester at a time when you played in all the historic places and knew how to respect them still, i love searching up our local history and have found out stacks of stuff, my brother living in the Delce bungalows has recently had a letter saying the coucil or someone is thinking of opening Delce tower/fort up to the public this is situated at the beggining of the bungalows you can see the brickwork on the bank,i cant wait for a look, but can anyone help me as to where the Gibraltar tower is as its supposed to be between Delce and fort pitt but i dont know where at first i thought near Gibraltar garage but thats past fort Pitt id love to know.

Sunday 13 January 2008 at 21:04:14 - Rochester

Msg 115: Marilyn Jones | @

Just browsing - looks a good site.

Saturday 5 January 2008 at 13:48:51 - UK

Msg 114: Sandra | @

I tried to contact Steve Richardson - but that encripted email address doesn't connect. I would like him to contact me to tell me more about Brompton, the tunnels, and how far is the church St. Mary Magdelene from the Chatham Barracks. Many thanks, SFNagy

Monday 26 November 2007 at 22:11:42 - Canada

Msg 113: malcolm little | @

After a short stay at Arden St. school, I attended Gillingham Grammar, 1950-56. Lived in the Naval Barracks, 1949-52 and then on Marlborough Rd.1952-57. I was in the Boxing Tournament waiting for the Marine Cadets to arrive. I was part of St. Georges Church Choir in the Barracks for almost all of that time. Still trying to navigate through your site and still trying to find out what happened to the Grammar School.. Would like to hear about some of the people I went to school with.

Sunday 11 November 2007 at 18:18:14 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Msg 112: Amie | @ | url

would like to look at ur site brian but nothing is coming up,
please repost

Saturday 3 November 2007 at 20:32:34 - chatham uk

Msg 111: valentine mcleay | @

My great grandmother died at the Medway Union Workhouse in 1929.
Finding a photo of the building on this site has really helped me put " flesh on the bones', so to speak. i have her on the 1871 1881 and 1901 Census always living in Chatham. Her name was Elizabeth Frances Street nee Joyce. she was known as Fanny

Friday 2 November 2007 at 08:53:55 - new zealand

Msg 110: Brian Damerell | @

I paid my first visit to the Town Hall Gardens today and took a photograph of Sergeant Feeney's stone. From that I stumbled across your great site and you have inspired me to revive my site on historical graffiti in the dockyard.
Try http://dockyardgraffiti.blogspot.com/ when you can.
Has anyone recorded the details on the headstones in the gardens before they completly disappear?

Tuesday 30 October 2007 at 17:22:11 - Gillingham.

Msg 109: malc | @ | url

can anyone provide any information about a possible ghost sighting which occured in the 1950's at HMS Collingwood, apparently it is the only time that a ghost sighting has been recorded in a naval log.

Monday 22 October 2007 at 21:58:24 - Gillingham

Msg 108: John Woods | @

Fascinating site, has now got me hooked on recent history.
Strange no mention of the Jezreels Tower. A general question from a "Grumpy old man";- Why is so much "developement " work allowed on historic sites?

Tuesday 25 September 2007 at 14:32:24 - biddenden kent

Msg 107: Stewart Coleman | @ | url

I have an interest in Chatham's town hall (now the Brook Theatre) particiularty the Edwardian interiors whose faded elegance seem to echo a time long gone.
I was particulary interested in the article on ghosts here because although i have never felt anything untoward, I do know of people who feel quite uneasy in the basement rooms.
Does anyone know if there are any sourec of information on this building?

Monday 24 September 2007 at 13:38:28 - Chatham

Msg 106: Alistair ( Brother Philip)

Hi, with regard to the Dave , the first Police officer on the scene at Jean Thompsons tragic loss of life . may I correct you that her Sons name was in fact Mark , not Carl . They were close family friends . Thank you for your brief description of what happened as I was only 3 at the time . - Alistair - Dover Kent

Sunday 23 September 2007 at 21:35:57

Msg 105: hannah

wow an amazing website to help find information on history. very interessing stories on disasters too!

Monday 17 September 2007 at 17:07:00 - kent

Msg 104: Kevin Pope | @

Update re. 'BAN THE MINDREADER'
I had an email recently concerning this (in)famous grafitti on the hospital wall ...

Kevin
Just read your query ref "BAN THE MIND READER" on wall of the Maritime hospital (used to be " Royal Naval Hospital Chatham") where I had my appendix removed over 50 (fifty) years ago. I can tell you that to the best of my knowledge that inscription has been there for at least 50 (fifty) years, along with several others. I can remember it being there well before Upberry Manor school was built because I lived in Marlborough Road at that time and used to climb the fence to walk across the Lines to Chatham. I can't see how this is going to help you find how or why it was painted on the wall but you at least now know that it was done many,many years ago. I hope this has been of some help.
Yours sincerely
Robert

So it's a lot older than we thought!

I can also confirm that it was nothing to do with anything going on at the Marconi factory, now British Aerospace of course!
I worked there from 1969 for 24 years and never heard anything about it in all that time!

Thursday 30 August 2007 at 23:42:42 - Gillingham of course!

Msg 103: Michele

Have been reading about poor Jean Thompson falling down the hole in Frindsbury. My Nan lived in Windmill Close and was constantly telling me about the tragedy and I never believed her.It always sounded unbelieveable. Is it safe now? Really interested now I know it true.

Thursday 30 August 2007 at 21:16:59 - Rainham, Kent

Msg 102: Matt Joyce | @

Great site, some really great stuff to look at.

Has anyone got any info on Fort Pitt and or the other forts around Medway. I currently work at the art college next to fort pitt grammer school and there is tons of evidence of the old fort but i can not find much on it, e.g tunnels etc etc.

If anyone knows how i can get info the please mail me. I am happy to help with any photo work etc or get involved etc.

ps down the bottom of the ramp where i work there is a bricked up entrance to one fo the tunnels, would be great to see if we could get in there to look about, no idea who to go about it mind mind you.

Anyy thanks

Friday 3 August 2007 at 10:25:10

Msg 101: Moris Teres | @ | url

i was born at all saints in 1947 january to be exact ;the coldest winter so my mum said snow until april;i also had my tonsils out when i was 6 on guy fawkes night when i came round i remember fireworks going off in the grounds,i have very fond memories of all saints since i moved away;

Sunday 29 July 2007 at 11:27:32 - hampshire

Msg 100: Catherine Borrill (nee Day) | @

I was born in Gillingham on May 17th 1929. On July 11th there was a terrible fire during a show in the Park. 15 were killed. That same day I would have been a SIDS victim in my pram in the garden, but my Aunt went to look at me, and I had stopped breathing and was blue. She ran up and down the garden with me over her shoulder banging me on the back. Since then I have survived many things, and have lived in beautiful N.Z. for more than 40 years.

Friday 13 July 2007 at 03:20:14 - Christchurch, New Zealand

Msg 99: w cooper | @

hi kev i think the ban the mind reader graffiti on the hospital wall ,was refering to the microchip that was being used at marconi's factory at the time.

Monday 2 July 2007 at 10:30:29 - scotland

Msg 98: Kevin Pope | @

Congrats on a wonderful site! I only stumbled into here by chance while searching for information about the 'BAN THE MIND READER' graffiti near Medway Maritime Hospital.
Did you manage to find out any more about this text? ... or is it still a bit of a puzzle?

Sunday 24 June 2007 at 18:43:17 - Gillingham

Msg 97: darren simmons | @

hi to anybody from fort luton shool
living in plymouth

Thursday 14 June 2007 at 13:49:56 - england

Msg 96: raymond knights | @

I wonder what happened to a couple of old schoolchums of mine.Gill grammar school 1950-55.Ilost touch with then, when I came to Canada.Mike mead and bruce Moss.Both lived in gill area.Cheers to both of you,and to a pile of old friends back in uk.I have lived in canada now for 50 years,but still feel that when I visit Eng,I am coming home.I always feel thankful,that I spent my youth in gill area,having many friends, that i have cherished all my life.

Friday 8 June 2007 at 16:21:55 - Toronto canada

Msg 95: ray knights | @

I was at the site where the cadets were hit by the bus,in nov 1951.Afriend and myself,were walking not far behind the troop,which had started marching,from the main gates of the dockyard,and were marching to the site where aboxing meet was to take place that evening,in the recreational area of the dockyard.I was an air cadet and knew some of the chaps that were marching as some were school chums.It was a dark and slightly foggy evening and the lighting was notgood,as at that locationthe dockyard wall was high and there were many shadow areas

Monday 21 May 2007 at 19:34:44 - Canada

Msg 94: Mark | @ | url

It's great to get to see GODS country when we can't be there . We visit as often as we can . Thank you .

Wednesday 16 May 2007 at 11:34:27 - USA

Msg 93: Emma | @

Are you interested in Local History, Wildlife, Conservation and Green Spaces?

As part of the Mid Kent College relocation to its new proposed site in Gillingham, the MoD have agreed to hand over the adjoining land to group of trustees for it to be restored as a public park & open space. The military defences in the vicinity will also be restored.

Many may know the park site as the Lower Lines, HMS Wildfire, or the Admiral’s Gardens. The site itself is steeped in history and is home to many protected wildlife with several colonies of rare plants.

A small group of local residents who are interested in the project have formed a group and we are now known as Friends of the Admiral’s Gardens and are looking for new recruits. We currently meet approximately every 6-8 weeks in the evenings and meetings usually last about an hour, our aim is to guide the trustees and advise them as local residents what we would like to see in the park.

If you are interested in learning more about our group and our park please contact me for further information and details of our next meeting.

Friday 20 April 2007 at 14:05:19 - Gillingham, Kent

Msg 92: raymond g knights | @

I lived in gill for the first 16 years of my life and attended byron and grammar school.As a boy i played soccer aqnd went to many of the fairs that were held on the lines.I was a member of a gang of five that we formed for mutual defenceagainst the brompton boys
and the gads hill crew.We used to explore the old fort in the dark using candles.Ilived on gillingham rd,andDavid frost was aclassmate of mine.Wespent many eves playing monoply at his house.Iwas a cub and a scout at st Barnabus church,and have many fond memories of gill.We used to ride our bikes to fish at teston and barming catching roach perch breem.Am visiting relatives in gill this sept.

Monday 9 April 2007 at 00:06:22 - toronto ontario canada

Msg 91: Sam Peel | @

Finally Got around to congratulating you on this site, despite it being in my favourites for ages now.. I think it's a brilliant site you have here, keep up the good work!
I don't know whether you have seen them, but there is a colossal archive of photographs from around medway and maidstone on medway council's website.. I left it all downloading there are many GB's! Old photos of chatham on there are interesting!

Thursday 15 March 2007 at 14:54:43 - Chatham / Warwick Uni

Msg 90: David Mawle | @

I would be very grateful to anyone who could find the newspaper article mentioned on page 2 of these messages by Richard Sherman. It was probably in a Gillingham paper soon after the wedding there on April 16, 1903 between Claude Aveling and Marguerite Robins.
Kind regards,
Dave

Tuesday 6 March 2007 at 19:37:39 - Montreal, Canada

Msg 89: Steve Richardson | @

You don't mention Fort Horsted on your site at the top of Maidstone Rd chatham ?. Worked there for many many years when it was a tyre company,so know it like the back of my hand.For me it was much better preserved than Fort Amhurst and more interesting. Used as an amunition dump in the 2nd WW

Sunday 4 March 2007 at 10:35:38 - Germany

Msg 88: Steve Richardson | @ | url

I grew up in Brompton and the area is full of tunnels,either to do with Fort Amherst or the second world war tunnels which are running under brompton, down to the dockyard.As kids we played in the tunnels, even having parties at weekends in them.Also have a small scar under my eye,from running into a bunk bed in one of the tunnels.Very interested in any stories to do with brompton and the dockyard,late 60's 70's.

Sunday 4 March 2007 at 10:14:31 - Germany

Msg 87: David Mawle | @

I've just stumbled on this site looking for info on the family of Rev. William Henry Robins, Vicar of Gillingham. I read the message left by Richard Sherman, but am still seeking info on the son, William Rumney Robins who married a member of my family. Can anyone help?
Kind regards,
Dave

Friday 2 March 2007 at 19:48:13 - Montreal, Canada

Msg 86: Richard Murr | @ | url

Janet Burchell left a message requesting information about a gravestone for Robert Murr. There is no e-mail address for her. How can one contact peopole who have left messages?

Sunday 25 February 2007 at 17:14:28 - Faversham

Webmaster comments Hi Richard

If you click on the '@' symbol on the message header, you'll get the email address of the person who left it. This is 'munged' to stop spammers getting hold of addresses.

I've forwarded your message to Janet - I hope that she gets back to you soon.

Regards

Jason

Msg 85: Paul Bennett | @

Brilliant website! i was born in All saints and have lived in Gillingham ever since, i loved looking at the photos and the holes in the ground and up Chatham Hill, i will look forward to seeing more photos soon!

Saturday 24 February 2007 at 21:23:39 - Gillingham, Kent

Msg 84: David Coveney | @

A very interesting trip down memory lane. Thanks

Thursday 22 February 2007 at 20:00:35 - Local

Msg 83: NICK GORMAN | @

GREAT PICS, I WAS BORN IN THE HOSPITAL MAY 21ST 1985, AND HAVE RECENTLY BECAME VERY INTERESTED IN THE AREA I WAS BORN, IVE NEVER BEEN BACK TO CHATHAM AND HOPE TO SOON TO SEE WHAT THE PLACE IS LIKE.

Sunday 18 February 2007 at 18:52:46

Msg 82: ian beaty | @

what a pleasant surprise to find this site, being a gillingham hooligan born and bred. I came into this world at 3.00am on 9th sept 1946 in the front bedroom of 103 corporation road, gillingham. My memories of growing up in the meday towns are filled with many happy experiences, many somewhat fraught with danger or downright illegal no political correctness in the 50`s. Since spreading my wings in the early 60`s I am now settled in merseyside, but still check the results on saturday to see how the gills got on. So I say hello to anybody who may remember me and having found this site will now relax with a scotch and wallow in fond memories of sharps green; darland banks; the dance hall in gillingham; and riding down boxley hill only to find the brakes on the push bike were inadequate to stop me at the sharp bend at the bottom.
If only my bus pass could get me as far as kent.

Friday 16 February 2007 at 18:43:45 - port sunlight Merseyside

Msg 81: Amie | @ | url

Let me be the first to leave a comment and wish you a very happy new year,
what will you be writing this year? i enjoy reading your work

many hugs
Amie

Friday 26 January 2007 at 18:03:25 - Chatham, as always

Msg 80: Leigh Anne Sparkes | @

My Great uncle died in the explosion on HMS Princess Irene in 1915 i am trying to trace his last movements and trying very hard to obtain photographs of the memorial with his name on, His details are as follows:
HENRY ALBERT GARDNER
2ND STOKER
DIED AGED 18 IN 1915

Friday 26 January 2007 at 13:49:55 - CHATHAM, KENT

Msg 79: Jenny Pearson

I am new to computers but this seems like a good site

Friday 19 January 2007 at 12:47:04

Msg 78: Michael Riddle | @

Wonderful to see pictures evoking memories of my childhood. Attended Twydall Junior school and Gillingham Grammar in the 50's & 60's. Spent many a happy hour playing on Darland Banks and in the old cement works near Bloors Lane.

Thursday 18 January 2007 at 21:50:55 - Raleigh North Carolina

Msg 77: tracey drew | @ | url

love the pictures of the hospital it brings good and bad memorys for me my first baby died there then i went on to have my other 3 children there i will always remember the my times there the staff were so lovely i miss it so much

Sunday 31 December 2006 at 22:27:27 - i live in rochester kent

Msg 76: Layla Carter | @

Came across this site while just surfing the net. It's a really interesting site and holds so much information and the history of Medway that I never knew. I remember going to All Saints Hospital when I was younger and it brings back memories seeing that entrance again.

Friday 29 December 2006 at 16:05:02 - Chatham

Msg 75: Alan D | @

When the accident in Dock Road was first reported in 1951, the Police sent a motorcyclist to deal with the accident. P.C. Bill Trice was the first Officer on the scene and what he saw had shocked him for years. Terrible tragedy.

Wednesday 13 December 2006 at 14:37:38 - Rochester

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