Fashion c1955, Dartford
Fashion c1955, Dartford Ref: D3069x
Memories of Fashion c1955, Dartford
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Dartford & local memories
Read and share memories of Dartford and Kent inspired by Frith photos.
Grt Grandfather W..E Orpin Living at Fawkham Village Kent,
I don't particularly have a memory as such. My great grandfather William Edward Orpin, lived at Hill Barn, Fawkham Village, Kent, Rural District of Dartford, Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary's in 1901. I have only just discovered this on Ancestry, and I am trying to find where Hill Barn is. He was a shepherd and I am wondering if anyone has any information on the above. My great grandfather died in 1936, in West Malling, Kent. One of his daughters, Emma, was my grandmother and she came out to Australia in 1908. I am from Sydney, Australia. Regards, Tracey.
World War 2 Memories
I am still trying to locate anyone who might remember or relate to any folks that lived in Dartford, a specific area would be Morland Avenue. I lived at no 7 Morland Avenue, a member of the Jeffrey family. I would love to locate anyone who remembers my family. Here's to y'all, Clive J.
Old Datford
I was born in Wimot Road in 1939 at the Maiden Lane end. We lived there until 1948 when we moved to Willow Road where I lived until I got married in 1961. We moved to Temple Hill after a couple of years at Downs Farm off of Fleet estate. I worked in and around Dartford all my young life. I did start at Westhill School for a few months under Mrs Parsons. I then went to the National School half way up West Hill. Does any one remember me - Ted Stock?
CUTHBERT FAMILY
Does anyone remember the Cuthbert family who lived at number 9 Morland Avenue, Dartford? Mrs Cuthbert was killed by a V1 bomb in 1944. Thanks, Clive Jeffrey
Denver Road
I remember my very early years living in Denver Road, Dartford, Kent. My first school was St Mildreds College, then onto Our Lady's High School. I remember having a school photo (long since lost) of myself with tartan ribbons, much to the Nuns disgust - a note was sent to my parents. I remember a Nun showing me the Chapel alter where my Mother's contribution of roses were. Would love to see a photo of the school, a heath was opposite the school I think? My grandmother lived in Crayford, No 25 Green Place. Gillian Nutt (nee White).
West Hill Lodge
Does anyone remember West Hill Lodge, the house on the corner of Stanham Road and Dartford Road, with wonderful fake Elizabethan chimneys? I lived there from 1950 until 1961, when sadly my father sold it, with the two houses next door, to a property developer, and now you have a lot more houses around Acworth PLace. Mrs Acworth died in 1949 and it had been in her family for many years, I believe.
Another Piece of Dartford History
Although born in Surrey, my parents moved to Swaisland Road when I was a baby, before buying a house in James Road in 1939 - just before the outbreak of WW2. I attended the West Hill School during my junior days. Our instructions were to run on to school if the air-raid siren sounded if we were more than half way or go back home if we were not. Needless to say, most of us went back home even if we were outside the school gates. I later went on to The West Secondary School before going on to technical college in London for my City and Guilds certificate in cabinet making. I belonged to the Lifeboys before joining the Boys Brigade (17th West Kent) connected to the Baptist Church and based at the YMCA on West Hill, Dartford. Those I remember, mostly part of the band, as I was the solo drummer, were "Ginger" Ransley - bass drum, Barry Simmons, Bill Smith, Terry Clark (bugles). "Puddeny'' Carter - drum... Read more
Best Friend
My best friend was Keith Beadle who lived in Marcet Road. I lived in Lawrence Hill Road and went to the local infants school. I lost touch with Keith over the years and wondered if anybody remembers him. I was born in 1943 and Keith was about two years younger.
Our Lady's High School
I was sent to Our Lady's High School in Tiverton, Devon at about the age of 4, than remained with the school when it was relocated to Dartford until I was about 15. What a horrible place - the nuns were so cruel. I remember getting the steel side of a ruler along the knuckles of my hands if I played a wrong note on the piano. Another time I was high by the bristle side of hairbrushes for something I didn't do (I think it was putting crayons on a table or something). Unfortunately, no matter what I told my parents, they didn't believe me, and so my life was hell. I fortunately have many memory blackouts, so dates are confusing to me. I do remember a classmate named Morag and her friend Elizabeth. They were not friends. I also seem to remember a nun setting fire to herself, or something like that. Anybody out there have any horrible memories?... Read more
Dartford
Is West Hill Hospital still at the top of West Hill? And do some of you remember the trams going from the Dartford libary and up West Hill? I cannot remember how far they went to.
The Pub in The Middle of Town
The pub was the "Bull and Victoria".
Boys Brigade
I was in the Lifebouys and then the Boys Brigade at the YMCA on Westhill between 1948 - 1954. I played the bugle in the band. I was good friends with Clive Marriot and I remember the Fitchet twins and their brothers. There was also a lad called Plumber. Chick Chickenden was the officer that married Miss Royal, another officer. I did the first aid course and the signals and played in goal in the football team. We used to march to church every other Sunday and the other Sundays were in the YMCA hall.
The Pub in The Centre of Dartford
There was a pub near the railway bridge on Overy Street called 'The 3 Tuns' was that the one? I was born in a house in Dartford Road in 1955, the family moved to a new bungalow, no. 6 Tuffnail Road, tel. 23838, in 1959, I have clear memories of almost every moment of my life starting from when I was a babe in arms. Those very early memories are in the form of visual recollections and feelings, mainly curiosity and frustration at not being able to communicate being just a baby. As a child I would roam all over Dartford with my older brother, I would have been 4 when I first started to go exploring (all day sometimes) with my brother, my mum wasn't worried about us, we always came running home for our meals! I attended St. Albans Infants School where I can remember every minute like it was yesterday, then York Road Primary School. The headmaster was Mr. Smith who beat me once when I was... Read more
Bombing of Morland Avenue
Written by my mother when she was 70. She lived in Swaisland Road
I think one of the things you would have noticed was the number of barrage balloons all around, high in the sky. The first sound of guns which we heard was far away, and sounded like horse trotting. The one night the air raid sirens sounded, and we went down into the shelter –we heard anti-aircraft guns in the distance and a couple of distant thumps, and this was all for some weeks. Then, one night the noises were much louder, and we heard bombs exploding nearer. Soon after this, the Pioneer Corps came round and put peculiar-looking metal things all around the rods, like big buckets with a big pipe coming out of them. We found later they were oil- burning, to make black smoke to hide the various targets near to us –mainly Vickers Armstrong factory. The soldiers came round at night and lit the oil. It made an odd low rumbling... Read more
Dartford Families
Hello to all, just a quick message asking for assistance. I am from a family line that dates back to Dartford pre-1830s. If anyone has any information on any of the following Dartford families, I would love to hear form you, as I am completely stuck on my family tree: - Page (Thomas Page 1744-1821) - Carly(Carley) (William Carley 1750 -1789) - Middleton (Thomas 1722 - 1814) - Venner. (Sussanah Venner 1747 - 1822) Kind regards, Darren Oddworld71@gmail.com
Dartford News Paper
I am about 70% sure that the name of the local paper was The Chronicle or the Dartford Chronicle. I think it came out on Thursday, just the one day a week.
Westhill School
Hi, once again I am trying to locate anyone who attended Westhill School or knew of someone who did during the early 1940s, it would be great to exchange some memories during those Second World war years, here's hoping. Clive Jeffrey, Cloverdale, BC, Canada
Westhill School
Miss Wade was the head mistress of the infants and the girls school. Miss Snell and Miss Jolly were the infant teachers, both out of retirement. In the boys juior school the teachers were Miss James, a new teacher she made the subjects interesting. Next Mrs Parsons, also out of retirement, a rather large women who had problems keeping her shoe laces tied, always looking for a boy to tie them up. Next Mr Bird who was also the head master. His hobby was Kent dialects. Mr Biggs was the senior boys teacher, also out of retirement. Mr Biggs would assemble the boys for class in the morning. I remember one day as Lenny Chapman filed past Mr Biggs he realized Lenny had an unexploded incendary bomb under his arm. I must admit Mr Biggs kept his cool as he had Lenny gently lay the bomb on the ground and he sent another boy to the police station which was close to the school on Highfield Road.
Burnham Road Swimming Pool
I remember the pool as a teacher for the Dartford swimming club, people that were around in those days were Hazel Outram, now my wife, Jimmy Clubb, Dave Randall, Dave Watkins, other names I'm not sure of. Anybody out there? I would love to find any old photos etc of the club or swimming in the area.
World War Two Memories
During the war I lived in the village of Lanes End (Darenth) just outside Dartford. I can't remember what year it was when we had a stick of bombs dropped across the village. One hit the Council stores, another at the top of Watchgate Rise, the last less than a hundred yards from our house. Mother had just picked up my baby brother and taken him downstairs to go into the air raid shelter. Part of the roof caved in and rubble landed on his cot. He had a lucky miss. The next day I was looking down into the crater of the one that dropped st the top of Watchgate Rise. A photographer took a photo of me for a local paper. I would love ro have a copy of same to pass on to my family. I had two near misses from the Doddlebugs, so guess I have had a charmed life. Can anyone give me the names of the Dartford local papers that were operating during the period... Read more
Early 1950s
I was born in Dartord where I lived in Stanham Road until I moved at the age of 9 years. Childhood friends I remember are Anthony Artist, Janet Cork, Michael Burville (not sure of spelling of surname). My next door neighbour was the Robbins family and my elder sister was friends with David Robbins whose father had a small garage down Dartford Road towards Crayford. I remember the garage clearly which had a narrow frontage with a single petrol pump and a steep drive down into the garage building. I went to West Hill Primary School and remember one day going to school in my slippers so was made to stay in at break time. On the way back from Cubs we often used to have a bag of chips and throw the empty paper at trolley buses! I went fishing with a friend into Dartford Park in the River Darenth using jam jars and one time waded in too deep and filled my boots with water and I recall... Read more
Dark Days of The Second World War
Those foggy days in Dartford and the oil tanks on the street corners that produced a lot of smoke that was designed to send smoke into the atmosphere so that enemy planes could not get a visionary view of the area of the ammunition factory, Vickers Armstrong, in Crayford. I lived at 7 Morland Avenue, my name is Clive Jeffrey. Does anyone else remember this? Clive Jeffrey
Second World War Memories
Do any folks in the Dartford area remember the air raids and the dog fights with the German aircraft and our boys? I lived on Morland Avenue near Vickers Armstrong which I might add produced ammunitions. We were hit with a V1 in 1945, killling four of our neighbours. We sure were lucky. I lived at No 7, lucky huh. I have lived in Canada for the last 45 years. I would love to hear from anyone who knew me or anyone in my family. All the best, Clive Jeffrey
One More Memory
Does anyone remember the containers that were placed on the street corners that produced smoke to smother the area from visual air raids during the Second World War in Dartford district? Clive Jeffrey
Dartford West Central School 1950s
Is there anyone from Dartford who remembers any one of these names: Brian Robinson, Dave Simmons, Dave McWilliam? These guys attended Dartford West Central School in the 1950s, it would be great if I could find some connection from the 1950s. Clive Jeffrey, Canada.
Dartford
Does anyone know if there was a Marsett Road in Dartford? My 94 year old mother lived in Kent during the war but can only remember Marsett Road!?
Anyone Out There...
I am looking for anyone who knows of any families living in the Westhill district of Dartford during the Second World War era. I lived on Morland Avenue when they got hit by the V2 bomb. I would love to hear from you. Yours, Clive Jeffrey, Cloverdale, Canada.
St. Vincent Road
I lived at the bottom of St. Vincent Road, near to Temple Hill Estate and Bow Arrow Lane. We used to play in the fields and I remember Temple Hill Estate being built. I remember the air raids in the war and the bomb falling in Carrington Road on a Sunday afternoon, the mother of a friend was killed that afternoon. When the war was over we had street parties and one in particular that I remember was in the back garden of a shop on the corner of Carrington Road. My mother used to have a photo of that party and I have often wondered what became of it as it wasn't among her possessions when she died and I would have liked to have kept it. I went to St. Albans Road school, then York Road school for a while before passing the scholarship for the Bexley Technical High School for girls. I also remember the fun fairs that used to come to... Read more
Granada Dartford
In response to the memory of bands that played at the Granada, Dartford. My husband played at the Granada in a band called the 'Intellectuals' in about 1967, does anyone remember seeing them?
The Boys Brigade, The 17 West Kent
Does anyone remember the Boys Brigade, the headquarters were at the YMCA on West Hill, period 1947-1950. Here's to ya. Clive
Names of Old Friends at Dartford
Is there anyone going by these names who remembers me - Brian Robinson,David Simmonds, Dave McWilliams, the Gifford family or anybody living in the Morland Avenue area, West Hill, Dartford or were West Hill schoolkids at that time? Hoping, Clive J
Our Lady's High School
I was a boarder at this school on West Hill in the 1950s. It looked, and felt, like a prison. I started at the age of four, and hated every minute of life as a boarder. The domestic nuns (Sisters Immaculate and Teresa) could be very cruel. But the same order of nuns was far more cruel to kiddies at an orphanage at Pantasaph in Holywell. (BBC Wales website refers)
Because of my horrible memories, I regard Dartford as a grim place. Oh! and a paediatrician from St Thomas's Hospital was murdered opposite the old school about three years ago.
West Hill Hospital
Early in the morning of September 5th 1940 a bomb struck West Hill Hospital. It killed 2 nurses and a score of new and expecting mothers. My own mother survived with a fractured skull. All of the newborn, myself among them, survived. I often wonder what happened to all those children who lost their mums, and what became of Sister Gantry who earned a medal for her acts of heroism on that day. Anyone care to respond? David Burns
The Sunday Granada Matinees
How many of you out there remember the Sunday Granada matinees? On Sundays at the Grendada in between movies the rock bands that performed in that theatre included the Rolling Stones, The Saints, Plus One and The Savanas, my brother Graham Jeffrey performed in the last 2 bands mentioned, does anyone remember? Clive
V1 Bombing of Morland Avenue, Near Westhill School
Re: March 1944 - does anyone remember the doodle bug (V1 rocket) that hit Morland Avenue close to Westhill Primary School, where I attended?
Clive Jeffrey, now a Canadian living in Mission City, BC
West Hill School 68 Years Ago
In the year 1940 I was 5 years old when I started to attend Westhill School. During the Second World War bombing controlled our lives, and I remember spending a lot of time in the air raid shelter. I remember my teacher well, she wore her hair in a bun and wore a long dress, she had a strange name of Miss Fidgin and I think the headmaster's name was Mr Ward. Does anbody out there share these memories?
Clive Jeffrey
Bus Stops And J E Halls
Temple Hill was our playground in the 1960s and 1970s. There was the old Puffing Billy where we all met on the estate and we had play schemes on. Does anyone remember this, the guy was called Montey? And who remembers Damien and Sue, they were play leaders, and when we had been swimming at the old Thames Road pool we would wait on the shutters or at J E Halls.
Memories
For Jane,
No I'm not Susan Weeks, although the name rings a bell. Looks like we had the same playground, Hesketh Park was great for skating in and Central Park was another great place to run riot in.
Regards Susan
PS I think the pub in Dartford Town Centre was "The Bull". Please tell me if Im wrong!
Growing up in Dartford
I lived in Dartford from 1955 (born in West Hill Hospital) til 1977 when I moved to Wales. My dad was manager of the"Bacca Pouch" next to the old Post Office , and opposite the back entrance to the Co-op. He then had the Newsagents "Hillmans" next to the Conservative Club at the bottom of West Hill. I went to West Hill County Priamry, then the Grammar school from '66 - '73. I remember every alleyway, every play area and the heath like the back of my hand. How times have changed!
I am trying to find out if anyone knows the name or has details of an old green, tiled pub in the centre of Dartford that was demolished? Or am I just dreaming cos my mum can't remember it?! Don't go back much now, the centre is a bit of a dump.
Colney Road
I too lived in Dartford in the late fifties to mid sixties. I was born in West Hill hospital in 1957. I attended St Albans infant school and York Road junior school. I had a best friend called Susan Weeks. I wondered if Susan Howard might be her? I often think about her and wonder how her life turned out. My brother and I used to take our go cart up Shenley Road and wizz down. It seemed really steep but it's actually just a bit of an incline! We also used to gather conkers from The Brent cemetery and be chased by the keepers. We often played in Central Park after visiting mum at work in the gardening department of the Co-op.
Mildred Close
I lived at Mildred Close during the late 1950s to mid 1960s. Hesketh Park and Temple Hill were my playgrounds. I attended St.Albans Primary and York Road Junior Schools. Anyone with similar memories?
Memories of Dartford
Born in Dartford in 1937 and living on the Fleet Estate I remember the Dimashio ice-cream van calling around ---not bad considering I left there in 1940 to live in Wales until war ended. I returned to Dartord, living on Fairfield Estate, the prefabs, until 1955. I remember the friendly policeman on point duty at the corner of Lowfield Street and High Street, the Saturday morning films at the State Theatre, the trolley buses, dances at the Bull Hotel, walking back from the Y.M.C.A. eating 3d of chips on a freezing winter's evening, happy days playing football and cricket in the corner of the park, our 'gang' playing around Ellinghams, my first courting days ( I am still in contact with my very first girlfriend who I knew since she and I were 9 years old until we were almost 18 years old - no problems - I have lived in N.Z. and Australia since 1955 and she married a great guy anyway) I sailed away (alone) on... Read more
