Nostalgic memories of South Darenth's local history

Share your own memories of South Darenth and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

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Displaying all 8 Memories

Hi my name is Bryan Hall, but when I was born it was Bryan Daniels. Because of my mothers persnal difficulties I was taken in by the Surrey County Council aged three months being put into council care. In 1945 I was sent to the Farningham Homes for boys where I stayed until around 1948 when I was adopted and my name changed. In 1949 I was sent back to Farningham where I stayed to around 1955. I was in ...see more
I worked at the mill for a number of years.Outside the power plant was a fresh water 'well' fed I think, either from the river or from an underground artesian well. I was amazed when someone told me there were crabs in the well, incredibly they were correct, I actually saw them myself, they were the size of edible crabs you buy at the supermarket, does anyone else remember them or have information on them, always been ...see more
My two great uncles were at Horton Kirby Home in 1880's, aged 6 and 10. The 6 year old died of pneumonia there, and the 10 year old went into the army when he was of age. He eventually emigrated to Canada.
I went as assistant housemother in No.4 in 1944 and stayed there as housemother in No.9 until1947. I would like to hear from a boy who was there at that time. I am now 93 but can still remember going to Somerset with the boys and we brought back a little kitten called, Teddy Compton. I do not know if there are any boys still interested. We had a great party after the war was over, with a bonfire in the playground.
Approx 1955 my mum was a housemother, Pam Parkinson. We went to school in a white double decker bus and scrumped in the farm, fished in the creek down the hill. I want to contact boys who were living there at the time. Good memories. My sister and dad were there as well. We are in Australia, mobile 0418120229.
My grandfather was registered at the South Darenth Home for Homeless Boys in 1911. His name was Eric Joseph Ormiston. Does anyone know if there are records for the home that would tell me why he was there and when he arrived and left? Simon.
Hello, my name is Fred Clarke. I was at the boys' home in the middle 1940s, also my brother Daniel Clarke was there at the same time. The house I lived in was run by a lady we called Nana Crane. I went to the school at the home and I also was a member of the choir in the chapel. I became head choir boy. My brother did an apprenticeship in the tailor's shop, I used to attend classes in the ...see more
I have been researching my family tree and have found from the 1901 Census that my great-uncle Frederick J Voller was an inmate at the 'Home for Homeless Little Boys'. This was in the parish of Horton Kirby St. Mary, South Darenth. He was sent here alone at the age of twelve despite having eight siblings, following the death of his father aged just thirty-eight years. I wonder what kind of life Frederick had at ...see more