Edited by author 12-06-2007 02:07 PM
Thank you, Maragret. How long have you been in Rainham? My mother is buried in Woodlands Cemetery but I don't often get along there. After she died two of us lived in a children's home at 46 Patrixbourne Avenue which is in Rainham Mark, I believe. We went to St Mary's RC Primary school in Gillingham.
Thanks again,
Pam

Fascinating! Have passed it on to residents here who know the older times. Margaret Dunn
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I was born at 11 Bedford Avenue in 1954, shh!! near St Thomas Catholic Church. One day our garden fell in leaving a huge hole that my older brother could have fallen into. It was like an individualised earthquake I am told. We had to move after that to 185 Pump Lane, I think that was about 1957. There were my parents John and Joyce Bygrave and their six chlldren. We lived by the railway bridge in Pump Lane and used to wave at the passengers on those green trains so if you waved back, thank you. My mother died of a tragic accident on my father's motor scooter in April 1961. This was reported on the headlines of the Kent local papers. Don't tell anyone but after she died and we had begun to fend for ourselves we, the six of us, used to treck single file down under the bridge towards the farms and orchards. My brother especially scrumped for cherries and ended up with pocket's full while I was the lookout. At 6 and 7 years old I think I did a good job. I hardly ever got a cherry though. My brothers loved going down Bloors Lane to the seawall. It was quite spooky there and that really strong seaweedy smell was a great welcome. Three of us kids were redheads so somebody out there might remember us. If you do remember the Bygrave's please let me know. You may also remember the Tanner's shop opposite the Catholic Church near Bloors Lane, the Standan's who lived in Bloors Lane and the Duncalf's who I think lived in Upchurch. I'd love to hear from anybody who may remember us. This is a great site, thank you. A couple of years ago I was in Rainham and took a bus ride. I was so amazed and pleased that the bus conductors had the same equipment and tickets they used to have when we went to school. It's so nice to see some things do not integrate with today's way of living. Keep Rainham Rainham. I now live in Hove, East Sussex.

To Roger Green.
My maiden name was Cross and my Father had the jewellers next door to the Post Office. We knew all your family and my sister and I were friends of Wendy and spent quite a lot of time in your home. Love to hear about all the rest of your family. I now live in Suffolk, England.

hi there, I'm Barbara :)
I stumbled on this forum while researching my 19th Century family history in Rainham and I was wondering if some local historians could help. I have connections to most of the population of the creek end of Station Road 1840 - 1900, including the following families - Wheatley, Mark, Partridge, Kidney/Kitney, Green, Whitnall & Reader. CityArk has been a wonderful resource for all the births & burials, which took place at St Margaret's. However, none of the marriages took place there. Births & Deaths are recorded at Milton, Marriages at Medway. Can anybody here suggest an alternative venue which fits the criteria?
Many thanks
Barbara

Edited by author 08-20-2007 12:41 PM
Hi Steven..thanks for that ..sadly i am after the images of the square when it was built..any help will be very appreciated

Mark Hollinsworth - try Google Local. Zoom in on the UK, then to Rainham. Use the 'Hybrid' button to get the satellite/map version, and you can zoom right into the housing that is now there. And my first school I ever went to - Meredale Infants!.

Hi all...i lived all of my chidhood in Sunderland Square in Rainham and loved every minute of it.It was just a great place to live.Sadly it is all flattened and has been redeveloped now.Has anyone got or could they advise me where to get some aerial pictures of the area ...i have tried the civic centre and the library but to no avail..Any help would be greatly appreciated.....Mark Hollinsworth

My grandfather Arthur Jesse Smith often known as A.J owned a grocery shop
on the corner of Station Road and Enfield/Henfield Road No 53 during the early thirties. The shop was called The Station Road Stores.He apparently refurbished both shop fronts. Can anybody tell me what happened to the shop? Was it bombed or demolished to make way for new roads or buildings. I have recently visited the area and I think No.53 is now a mid terrace house.
Any information gratefully received!
Pamela Burnett

wrt to the enquiry by Sidney Tottman (message 28) my parents moved to 2A Roberts Rd on New Years eve 1951. During the time of their residence I did not spend much time there due to being in the RAF. But from memory I am certain that there was no evidence of Anderson shelters in either the garden of 2A or 4, I occasionaly dug much of the garden for Dad while on leave.

Has anyone seen the previous enquiry I made on behalf of my wife Pamela (message 14)? If so we would appreciate a reply.

What happened to the Romans?

We heard them marching outside St Margaret's Church. The previous vicar, Richard Allington-Smith, wrote "Son et Lumiere" which began with the sound of them. Does anyone know what happened to the scripts of that marvellous production? It was held inside the church and included the headless horseman riding round.

Hi, I'm trying to trace a friend of my great aunt. Her name is Pamela M Jeff and she used to live in Rainham in Kent. My aunt (Ms Hicks) used to work with her and would love to contact her again. does anyone live near her or know of this lady, she should be in her 80's if so please post a message! Thanks

Edited by author 08-20-2006 06:10 PM
Can the current residents of 2A or 4 Roberts Road let me know if the double Anderson shelter is still in situ. It was built to a special specification by my father in 1939 as working for Short Brothers on the Sunderland flying boat and later the Stirling bomber he knew that we would have to stay put. I understand that after the war the council was approched to remove the shelter but declined on the grounds that the effort would be too much with the facilities then at hand.

Hi there
has anyone got any photograhic evidence of Sunderland Square which was off of High Dewar Road .I have contacted the civic centre and that has been frustrating.It was built by German pow's from what i have been told.It was a council estate for those who are not familiar with the name and it was sandwiched between London Road and to the back of it Soloman Road .
Any help on photographs or history would be so welcome

kind regards

Mark Hollinsworth