Comments on: At Gravesend

By: michael barton

michael barton — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:18:53 +0000

You would be forgiven not to have mentioned that the canal basin was dominated by the successful timber company W.R. Barton & Son Ltd from 1920 to the 70’s whose saw mill and stacks of wood formed a timber hub influential enough to be eventually taken into the famous London and International company of Mallinsons whose history is important in that world wide trade. The Bartons contributed much to Gravesend in civic activity, were well known for their fleet of Anglo- American lorries (featured recently in Heritage Vehicle magazine). WR was the grandfather of Sir Derek Barton, Noble Lauriate who for 50 years revolutionised Organic chemistry. Derek spent his first 20 years in the town attending for 2 years the Grammar School but eventually training at Gillingham Technical College (1938) to a level which gave him entry to Imperial College where he speedily gained a first in chemistry and “rose to the stars”. Check him out on www. but there is only about three lines in local history on him or the Barton firm – why ? I’m just writing up the family history being one of three remaining relatives . I also have views on Pocohontas which could form one of Lucy Worsley’s historical fibs !! Gordon School’s one time head Ernie Howcroft was my god father living in Parrock Ave where I was born in 1933.

By: Peter Cocks

Peter Cocks — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 19:07:32 +0000

I as born in Gravesend and lived there until I was 18, and it is good to look back at the home town I abandoned through a stranger’s eyes.
Both my sets of great grandparents had businesses, a dairy (Ramsdales in Bath St) and a baker (Sunnucks of Rosherville, now Watling tyres) in the town at the turn of the 1900s when the town was flourishing.
By the time I arrived in 1960 the best was behind, though the river provided employment for much of my father’s family, if not him (he was a painter, whose Windmill Hill painting can still be seen in the Windmill Tavern)
The Sikhs, many of whom I was at Gordon and Grammar Schools with, originally came in via Tilbury and, unlike the Afro-Carribbeans who migrated to South London, the Sikhs stayed and worked as builders, reclaiming and buying many large Victorian houses in Gravesend to accomodate their families. Their integration was seamless – hard-working and moral, there was little prejudice against the Sikhs within the town. In fact they may well have saved streets of good Victorian houses which were otherwise demolished by poor urban planning in the 60s.
I used to play in derelict houses, some still bomb damaged and watched as the wrecking ball flattened them in the mid 60s.
This piece brought back many memories, of the promenade cafe and the pier where as a child, I’d meet my grandad off his boat, the Fort Gardens…General Gordon and Pocahontas were the local legends…and of course The Ship and Lobster, from where I would embark across the marshes, detailed in Dickens’ Great Expectations.
Your words and pictures have inspired me to take a sentimental journey, which I would not otherwise have done, thank you.

By: Nile

Nile — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:58:02 +0000

Those distinguished gentlemen may well be teachers at the Gurudwara: they might equally be visiting Gravesend to pay their respects to Squadron Leader Mahinder Singh Pujji DFC, who is commemorated at the waterfront by a magnificent bronze statue.

By: C Kelly

C Kelly — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 19:34:00 +0000

The poet Thom Gunn was born in Gravesend and spent part of his childhood in Kent. His lovely poem about the Thames, The Conversation of Old Men, is one of the Poems on the Underground. It’s especially good when read on a hot day in a crowded carriage.

By: Lx

Lx — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 19:23:47 +0000

I don’t think Pocahontas actually died upon reaching Gravesend. From what I’ve read, she was dead before reaching the shore.

By: Gaynor

Gaynor — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 17:19:19 +0000

I enjoyed reading about your recent trip to Gravesend. I hope you enjoyed your day as much as I enjoyed reading about it. I loved the photographs of the Sikh Temple, a place I have yet to visit. Loved all the other photographs too. I hope you visit again soon and write about your visit

By: pauline taylor

pauline taylor — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 17:07:25 +0000

The day out in Gravesend looks and sounds great, and how very kind and generous the weather was to you. The ferry trip brings back yet more happy memories for me as my father used to drive us to Tilbury to catch a car ferry across the Thames on our days out to Rochester, I really enjoyed those days but I wish now that we had stopped off at Gravesend, and poor Pocahontas, I have always felt so sorry for her, it’s such a sad story.

By: Evelyn in the Twin Cities of Minnesota

Evelyn in the Twin Cities of Minnesota — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 16:18:29 +0000

Thanks to you Gentle Author and your brilliant writing, I felt like I was there with you on your visit to Gravesend. And just think, I have never visited the United Kingdom at all! So sad to see these ancient factory buildings rotting away. What a wasteful civilization we have. I must agree with Joan, please take at least a one week holiday every year — more if possible! Thank you Gentle Author for all your efforts and dedication!

@R_Serling_Rules on Twitter

By: Ros

Ros — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 15:06:25 +0000

Lovely post. Another place for my ‘to visit’ list. Good to have you back. Thanks.

By: Valerie Keith Hawkins

Valerie Keith Hawkins — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 14:47:50 +0000

Thank you for another beautiful article with exceptional photos of Gravesend. The name ‘Gentle Author’ is more than appropriate!