Historic Medway Guestbook

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Historic Medway : Search
There are now 274 messages in our guestbook.
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Viewing messages 224 to 175.

Msg 224: Stewart Coleman | @

Looking for any one who remembers The HMS Collingwood House Training Block in the Barrack at Chatham and in particular a Gentlemean called Harry Southon who was the caretaker there in the 60/70's living in the attached Collingwood House in Khyber Road. He is my wife's Grandfather and she used to visit the house as a child.

Sunday 19 April 2009 at 09:39:51 - Chatham

Msg 223: Peter Collison | @

Anybody recall the old building "Bleak House" at the top of Lower Woodlands Road in Gillingham. A spooky looking Gothic House with stone eagles on top of the walls overlooking the river. Would love to see any old photos if available. It was demolished some time ago and has since had flats built upon the land.

Wednesday 8 April 2009 at 22:17:05 - South Bucks, returning to Gillingham next year

Msg 222: Hazel Isitt | @

The room right next to the delivery suite doors wooden cladded single storey was where my son was born at 02.58 on 17.01.1981 brought back memories looking aat All Saints in pictures

Wednesday 8 April 2009 at 22:11:58 - Chatham Kent

Msg 221: Neville Andrews | @

The marine cadet disaster has special memories for me as one of those who perished was my cousin. At the time I was attending Highfields Secondary School and on the day after the accident we were all called to assemble in the playground which was not a normal procedure. I stood next to a school friend who did not appear to be quite with it but as are youngsters I did not think too much of it. Our school masters all came out into the playground accompanied by a policeman. They proceeded to walk the lines of the assembled pupils until they came to my friend when they gently informed him he had to return home. It transpired that he had escaped from his home where he had been confined to his bedroom because he had been
involved in the previous nights carnage. Alan was a corporal I believe and was in the rear row of the cadets when the bus approached them at great speed, he realised that they were in danger and pushed a couple of the cadets nearest to him out of the path of the
bus saving himself and the others from certain death. He had climbed out of his window to come to school as this was the day to do some of the end of year exams. I do not think I heard of anything being done to recognise his bravery or quick thinking probably because of the general turmoil of the disaster.
In conversations overheard being carried out by my immediate family I remember them saying (and remember this was only barely 6 years after the war) that a group of battle hardened matelots who were returning to barracks were openly crying and being physically sick at the carnage they were trying their best to sort out,saying that with all they had gone through in the war years bore no comparison to what they were witnessing.
It was also said that it was well known that buses would often speed down this road to the Pembroke gate as this is where they would sit, have a cigarette and a cuppa so the faster they reached their goal the longer rest they got. I think this was the first time that so much money that had ever been collected by public subscription the powers that be did not know what to do with it hence the senseless
delay and arguements that ensued about what to do with the donations for the best.
I was born in Rainham, lived the war years on the New Rd. in Chatham, we then moved to Gillingham in Canterbury street, From there to
Strood where I met my wife, then to Rochester,after to Borstal, Back to Strood,then back to Chatham on the Luton Rd. finishing up in Hempstead until we moved abroad for a few years, now residing in Scotland but never forgetting that I am first & formost A MAN OF KENT.

Sunday 22 March 2009 at 01:45:31 - Scotland

Msg 220: Gordon Thomas | @

Malcolm Little,
Gillingham Grammar School closed in 1974 to be amalgamated with Rainham Secondary School for Boys (The Campus) with the boys being 'streamed' into 'alpha' and 'A' streams. The Anchorians still exist as a sports club, I play hockey against them and know that they have rugby, hockey and cricket clubs active in local leagues. Interestingly many of the old honour boards that were on the walls of the old school hall at the grammar are on the walls of their clubhouse. I have attached links below to their sites. Hope this is of use.
http://www.anchoriansrfc.co.uk/
http://www.anchorianscc.co.uk/
http://gahc.iwebsearcher.com/

Monday 16 March 2009 at 15:14:32 - Maidstone

Msg 219: Gordon Thomas | @

Just browsing you rsite after finding it through Google. Born in Gillingham, now living in Maidstone and interested in local history

Monday 16 March 2009 at 14:53:47 - Maidstone Kent

Msg 218: Stewart Coleman | @

Valentine Mcleay: It looks like the same ship, Try this link; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Challenger_(1858)
There must be more info on the internet.

Sunday 15 March 2009 at 07:54:20 - Chatham

Msg 217: Valentine Mcleay | @

On the 1911 census my great uncle and his wife, Michael Joyce Street and Mary Ann Street are noted as living on the hulked Ex HMS Challenger, he was ships rigger labourer. Does anyone know if this is the hulk of the once famous Challenger which made an epic voyage. Any info would be helpful.
thanks

Thursday 12 March 2009 at 03:34:21 - New Zealand

Msg 216: Bill | @ | url

Msg 214.
Hello Dawn. Thank you for replying. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner...I had problems with my pc. Any information that you can give me will be very much appreciated.Regards Bill

Saturday 7 March 2009 at 08:26:58 - Rochester

Msg 215: John Chaplin | @

I am still looking for information on the grey launches that ran from Sun pier in Chatham to Upnor and to Alington Locks. I am particularly interested in the names of the boats, they ran in the 1950s.

Monday 2 March 2009 at 17:40:42 - Devon

Msg 214: dawn

sorry bill but i can only remember my nan ect who lived at 103 henry street, but im going to see my aunt soon ill ask her if she knows anything'

Sunday 1 March 2009 at 19:25:44

Msg 213: mary cook now mitchell

hi dos any rember the cooks mill rd gillingham ::

Saturday 24 January 2009 at 18:29:33

Msg 212: rita arnold | @

Messg.185 to Terry Jones. Hi, I went to Luton infants' and remember Miss Bullhatchet as one of the teachers. The headmistress at the time was Miss Todd. We used to eat our school lunches at the Parochial Hall and if I remember correctly there was a small school next door which was known as Luton Village Infants. I too now live in Spain (Murcia). I was a Williams before I married.

Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 21:01:16 - Spain

Msg 211: Stewart Coleman

Has anyone noticed that the 'castalated' building at the top Canterbury Street is being demolished. I have been told that the building and the shop units they contained formed part of the Jezreel Tower scheme and wer designed to raise funds for the Jezreel movement.

Wednesday 7 January 2009 at 13:08:21

Msg 210: christine sandmann | @

Bill I believe Brian is correct the name changed to Queens ward but since I did not work on Dorcus but I did work on Queens ward, and that was 1973-I think. that name should be correct so the death of your gt aunt in 1969 could have been the Queens ward. what do you think??

Saturday 3 January 2009 at 22:56:46 - Gillingham

Msg 209: Bill | @ | url

Can anyone help me with the exact location of the National Fire Services HQ in Pattens Lane Rochester from1941-45 please? I have been given 2 different sites. 1. Where the OAP Bungalow complex is -Pattens Place. City Way end.. 2. The area now called Redland Shaw-next to the Huntsman Public House, one time site of Marley Tiles? factory/depot?but it may not be either of these. All official Fire Service records for the War no longer exisit- hence my request for help. Many Thanks.

Thursday 1 January 2009 at 17:22:51 - Rochester

Msg 208: Bill | @ | url

Re mess167 Dawn Smith. Please see message 203. Can you help me in anyway at all please? Regards Bill/

Thursday 1 January 2009 at 15:27:16 - Rochester

Msg 207: Bill | @ | url

re messages 205/206 Thank you Christine / Brian for your postings. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Happy New Year to you.

Thursday 1 January 2009 at 15:16:24

Msg 206: Brian Ingle | @

Can't help on the fate of Dorcas ward, but know it was the womens geriatric ward in the '60s

Tuesday 30 December 2008 at 21:20:11 - Canada

Msg 205: christine sandmann | @

I have worked there Bill, there definately was a Dorcus ward, but I cannot remember exactly where it was if I see any old friends I will certainly ask.

Monday 29 December 2008 at 20:35:13 - Gillingham

Msg 204: Bill | @

Can someone help me please? My Great Aunt died at ASH in March 1969 and she was in Dorcus Ward. I cannot find any mention of that ward in the photographs on this site. Did Dorcus Ward become part of the Victoria Day hospital by any chance? Thank You.

Saturday 27 December 2008 at 13:38:10 - Rochester

Webmaster comments Hi Bill

Thanks for leaving a message on the Guestbook. I've looked on the plan I have of the hospital, and unfortunately I couldn't find any sign of this ward. It would be great if someone else knew what had happened to it and left a message.

Regards

Jason

Msg 203: Bill | @ | url

Re msg 196. The deceased firemen were Francis Chater lived at 296 City Way Rochester, Cyril Gibbons who lived at 37 Dorrit Way Rochester, and Frank Ryder who lived at 107 Henry Street Chatham. I would also like to hear from anyone who can help with a fireman who was killed at maidstone in Feb 1942 AJB Sifleet who lived in Foord Street Rochester.

Saturday 27 December 2008 at 13:03:11 - Rochester

Msg 202: Bill | @ | url

re mess197.Have you tried Medway Councils archives? -you can access a lot of them online; things like the redevelopment of the area in the late 60's see the Medway Council's website for the links.

Saturday 27 December 2008 at 12:54:22 - Rochester

Msg 201: Bernadette Keane | @

In reply to information about the murder near 'The Great Lines' near Chatham.On sunday 22nd sep 1974 a young women called Susan Stephenson was walking either to or from church when she was attacked and killed the man a Peter Stout was later arrested and charged with this murder.

Wednesday 17 December 2008 at 21:45:04 - Rochester

Msg 200: Bill Fowler | @

Re: Message 198 - Where WHS is now was a Co-Op Department Store. It had a great toys department downstairs and a Public Hall on the 1st floor. The Co-OP had lots of premises in the area. I recall the School Uniforms shop was on the corner of Balmoral Road opposite the railway station. Who remembers the amazing David Greigs with all its wonderful smells?

Monday 15 December 2008 at 20:40:36 - Chatham

Msg 199: Bernadette Keane | @

Hi if anyone is interested there is a exhibition about the prefabs that were build to house people after the war thru lack of housing, many in warren wood in Rochester ,i found it really interesting, its on at the clock tower building in the archives behind the civic centre in strood it started 9th of December, 2008 till 3rd of February, 2009 hope you enjoy it.

Sunday 14 December 2008 at 13:13:53 - Rochester

Msg 198: barbara | @

my friend and I was remembering shops in gillingham high street when we were kids in the 60s, there was one small department store where smiths is now , does anyone know what it was called?

Friday 12 December 2008 at 20:23:53 - Gillingham Kent , England.

Msg 197: ryk brunt | @

I wasborn in cage lane now know as upbury way/ hards town my gran- father own and run the pub at the top of the hill there it was call the dove inn, so if any one has any info of this part of the towns I'd love to know more

Friday 5 December 2008 at 16:49:57 - now dymchurch kent

Msg 196: Bill | @ | url

I am researching the history of the Fire service in Rochester. I would be very interested to hear from anyone with a family connection to the Wartime period anf the post- war era from 1948 to 1957,who maybe able to help me, and with particular interest to the Firemen who were killed during the War. Thank you.

Tuesday 2 December 2008 at 11:08:01 - Medway

Msg 195: Bill | @ | url

Msg184 Bernadette Keane. The area you mention on Delce Banks was used by the Army for trench warfare training during the !st World War. Also, at the entrance to Fort Pitt Cemetary in City Way there was a communual air raid shelter. There were also Air raid shelters on Fort Pitt banks opposite St Barts Hospital.

Tuesday 2 December 2008 at 10:51:32 - Medway

Msg 194: Bill | @ | url

The fire at Upbury Manor was on the 9th January 1973. A fireman was killed in an explosion/flashover in the science labs (Fireman Neil McCulloch)who was stationed at Medway Fire Station where his name is on the Roll of Honour Board.

Tuesday 2 December 2008 at 10:38:49 - Medawy

Msg 193: Bill Fowler

Re Message 174. The SArmed Forces Recruiting Office was built as the Royal Marines School for the children of marines in Chatham. The building on the extreme right was the Head Teachers house which is now hidden by the horrible 1970's facade.

Saturday 29 November 2008 at 18:11:19 - Chatham

Msg 192: Bill Fowler

For those of you interested in visits to fortifications and defence works take a look at the Kent History Forum website. They often organise such visits.

Saturday 29 November 2008 at 18:02:49 - Chatham

Msg 191: Laurence Goodwin | @

I would also be interested in looking around the forts and hidden tunnels around Gillingham, Chatham and Twydall. It would be a good idea if a group could be set up via this site for people with similar interests to explore the history side of the medway towns and arrange day-trips/gatherings.

Friday 28 November 2008 at 15:28:37 - twydall

Msg 190: christine sandmann | @

Thanks to Bill Fowler

Thursday 27 November 2008 at 09:22:19 - Kent

Msg 189: Tony Payne | @

I would just like to say hello, my name is Tony Payne my wife's grandfather was the sole survivor of the Princess Irene.
we would like to hear from anyone with information about the ship.
Best Wishes
Tony

Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 15:30:49 - sidcup kent

Msg 188: Bill Fowler | @

Christine, try looking at the Kent History Forum website. There are a lot of like-minded people on there who go visiting underground shelters and forts.

Saturday 22 November 2008 at 17:12:25 - Chatham

Msg 187: Christine Sandmann | @

I would like to see some of the forts around the medway towns but do not really wnt to go alone, the air raid shelter sounds interesting also. I am Chatham born & bred but there is so much I have not seen.

Sunday 16 November 2008 at 00:51:10 - Chatham, Kent

Msg 186: terry jones | @

ToJudith Thompson( nee Thresher
It was good to see a name from the distant but I wonder if you remember me,my grandmother used to live in the house next to boxing club the house with the big fur tree in the front garden, we used play in your front garden and i remember your dad I believe he was a sargeant in the police.I believe I could say you were my first girl friend we must have been all of five years old.I,m living in Spain now and it was by pure luck I came across this great webpage and even better luck I saw your name and it brought back such happy memories. All best wishes Terry Jones

Friday 14 November 2008 at 15:00:17 - Spain

Msg 185: terry jones | @

i was interested to learn if there is anyone who can remember a teacher at luton infants in the late 40,s by the name miss bullhatchet,

Friday 14 November 2008 at 13:42:07 - spain

Msg 184: Bernadette Keane | @

Does anyone know of any large air raid shelters still around the Medway towns, just wondered , i know that the Delce rd Rochester has one hidden away behind a metal door in the wall below the bungalows on the bank near the Delce fort / tower remains,Im told many people used this during the second wourld war, Id love to have a tour round there.

Thursday 13 November 2008 at 22:53:29 - Rochester

Msg 183: keith

very nice site,
bowaters is demolished now,
tescos cash machines were ripped out recently using jcbs from there,
the St Mary Magdalene church pictures are really nice,

about the girl murdered on the lines,
didn't the news of the world call it the bride murder or something like that,

was shocking at the time as murder was very very rare around gillingham at that time,
sadly its not rare any more with all the drugs and other influences which are not politically correct to mention

Thursday 13 November 2008 at 04:14:36

Msg 182: christine sandmann | @

someone mentioned the old cinema in Green street Gillingham, just thought I would say this is now a snooker club. I also remember the murder of the young lady on the lines, awful, I lived in Vicarage rd Gill at the time, very close to the lines.

Sunday 2 November 2008 at 12:34:01

Msg 181: cheryl | @

I came across this site by surfing and found it interesting as my grandmother and her brother were both born in Chatham, Kent, England. My great grandfather was Sergeant M.S.C.at the time and according to the birth certified of my grandmothers, he was in Fort Pit. 1888. I am trying to find more information out on this.

Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 18:01:39 - Saskatchewan, Canada

Msg 180: peter millington | @

I lived in Chatham back in the 60s

Monday 20 October 2008 at 23:38:06 - Wales

Msg 179: James S | @

The hilly nature of many of the roads in Chatham has probably contributed to a number of accidents over the years.
I was reading an account of an early tram accident (1902 ) that happened in Gillingham.
The location given is Westcourt Street just off Dock Road. The tram was overloaded with dock workers.
The tram was due to wait for the assistance of a pilot who would ease the tram down a steep curving slope.The pilot would also sand the track in wet conditions. Alas the pilot had not arrived at the time of the incident and the tram driver went down the slope unassisted.
The tram went out of control and hit the police station building.
Four were killed and a further sixty were injured.

Sunday 19 October 2008 at 10:43:54 - Northampton

Msg 178: Bernadette | @

I cant remember the murderers name but i will see if i can find out and let you know, the murderer used to get a lift from a man who i worked with , thats why it stood out in my mind.

Thursday 16 October 2008 at 17:20:58 - Rochester

Msg 177: Amie | @

well mustve been either a different murder or just a story,
do you no wat the murderer's name was ???

Monday 13 October 2008 at 21:59:20 - Chatham, kent uk

Msg 176: Bernadette | @

The murder on the lines in the 70s was a young women i believe it was a sunday and she was on her way to church, i do know that her killer was cought ,he lived in Boundary road Chatham.

Sunday 12 October 2008 at 16:44:38 - Rochester

Msg 175: Amie | @

my dad (now since died), told me of a murder on the lines, it was a young girl about in her early 20's. she was attacked in a frenzied attack, she crawled all the way from the park nr the old graveyard at the foot of the lines all the way to the old chatham police station situ on the brook and died on the steps.
her killer was never found. tis a great site, i love reading all the old stories of where i live. keep it up folks xxx

Saturday 11 October 2008 at 16:36:53 - Chatham, kent, uk

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