Nostalgic memories of Dartford's local history
Share your own memories of Dartford 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 Memories 31 - 40 of 118 in total
My Grandmother and Grandfather had the hardware shop (Frost) for a long time. I remember going
out with my Dad and my Grandfather on the paraffin round (Esso Blue and Pink) around Dartford. I was very young and found it great fun, but I will always have the smell of paraffin up my nose!
When my Grandparents retired my Aunt and Uncle took over the shop (Joyce and George Horton) until they retired. On the other ...see more
I was born in Elm road Dartford. The lady that lived in our house before us pinched other people's cats. My mother told me that the police called at our house several times when cats went missing. Is there anyone who would remember this ? It was in the early 60's.
Our family lodged with a Mrs Cotter at XX Dartford Road during the 1940s.After leaving her home I used to visit her and often notice she had bruises on her.Then one day in 1946 we were in Margate on a day trip and the newspaper seller was calling out Woman found dead in a cupboard.
When we returned home we found that Mrs Cotter had been murdered by her lodger a Mr John Mills and he had put her body in the bedroom ...see more
Does any one remember me? John from Norman Mills the grocers I work there for 50 years It was one of the very last real grocers in the town. It was the first shop to sell frozen foods, and the first Health food store in the area. Well known for their (taste and try before you buy).
There was a wonderful window display at Christmas, and people came from miles around for their ham.
John was well know for his April Fool ...see more
I also went to West Hill School in 1940 to 1945 and remember Mrs Fidgen, Miss Adams and Mr Ward the head master who would cane a naughty child in front of the whole school.
The air raid shelters were found again a few years ago when they were enlarging the car park. I have a photo of the steps going down into the shelter which appeared in the local paper but the photo was put in wrong (side ways).
I then went to the ...see more
Yes I remember the V2 rocket that came down in Moreland Ave.I had just returned from the air raid shelter when the siren went again, we did not have time to go to the shelter again.I was in bed and when I pulled the bed covers back the room was full of dust and the windows were broken, this was at 138 Dartford Road.
The V2 rocket hit the gas main and the flames lit up the sky. A Mrs Coward was killed and her husband lost ...see more
I was born in West hill hospital 1939,grew up in Dartford road, and have many memories, of the war time, and of course peacetime, many names come to mind, Graham Crouch,Margaret Bingham,Kenny & Barry Green, Sheila Barnes,there are quite a few more, I would love to know if there are anybody else with memories from the same time. I lived there till the mid sixties. I would love to hear from anybody and swap stories. J Carley.
I have been trying for ages to contact my old shipmate Leslie Cambridge, he spent his childhood in Dartford /Bexley Heath & Welling. He married Winnie in the 50s and was my Best man at my wedding. I lost contact some time after,I believe he joined the Thames Fire service after leaving the sea.I also believe his marriage broke down,so he could of re -,. married. He had 2 sons from his marriage to Winnie. I would ...see more
My name was Jeannette Turner. In about 1936 my mother father and self-age 3 moved from the Eastend of London, via first moving into 46, Hillingdon Road Barnhurst, to stay with my recently widowed Auntie Daisy.
My mother heard that new houses were being built at the old market town of Dartfod. I have retained a strong memory of the occasion when me and 'Flo' (i called my parents by their first ...see more
I was born in 1972 and grew up in Dartford, not leaving until i went to uni in 1990. It was never the most picturesque of towns but none-the-less a great place to grow up and easy to get everywhere. The schools were great to - I went to West Hill for infants and junior school and then Dartford Girls Grammar. I live in the USA now and I've been using Google earth to go back and see what the town ...see more