This page contains the HRGS News items published prior to 2024.
Sittingbourne Remembrance Sunday – 12th November 2023
The well attended Remembrance Sunday 2023 in Sittingbourne had a special significance, as it coincided with the centenary of the Avenue of Remembrance, both occurring in November.
To commemorate the centenary, a service was held at St Michael’s church. There then followed a parade to the town’s war memorial in Central Avenue, moving along Bell Road and into the Avenue of Remembrance, where they were greeted with sentinels and giant poppies at each of the commemorate trees.
For the full story and photographs, visit our news article.
Wheels of Time ‘Gold Award’ – 19th June 2023
The Heritage Hub were delighted to be able to present Dennis with his ‘Gold’ Wheels of Time certificate and badge for collecting more than 30 Wheels of Time site badges from around Kent.
Wheels of Time Launch for 2023 – 18th March 2023
The launch of this year’s museums, attractions and visitor centres took place at Sandwich Guild Hall on 18th March 2023, and was well attended with participating locations.
The event was launched by The Lady Colgrain, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Kent; Councillor Franklin. The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Sandwich; Bob Shrubb, Chair of Wheels of Time; Richard Emmett and Margaret Price, Sandwich Guildhall Museum.
Wheels of Time now reaches 53 sites and more information about the sites can be found on their website or Facebook page.
Sittingbourne Railway Station Heritage Board – 23rd February 2023
On 23rd February Theresa and Richard Emmett from HRGS met with Garry Outram from the Kent Community Rail Partnership, to view a new local heritage information board that is in the ‘waiting room’ at Sittingbourne railway station.
A joint community venture between HRGS, the Kent Community Rail Partnership and Southeastern Trains that will hopefully inspire visitors to take a look around the town and to learn more about its history.
WW1 Leslie Anderson – Recognised as a CWGC Casualty – 1 December 2021
23 year old Leslie Anderson lies buried in Sittingbourne Cemetery, in an unmarked grave.
Research uncovered that Leslie developed tuberculosis whilst in the army and subsequently discharged, dying a few short months later.
An appeal placed with the CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) was successfully won on 5th November 2021 and they have accepted him formerly as a WW1 casualty and his grave will pass into their care. Following due process a CWGC Headstone is expected to be installed to mark his last resting place.
Leslie, and his twin Sydney, were born on the 18th August 1895, in Murston. In 1911 they were 15 years old, and living with their parents William and Mary Anderson at 30 Home View, Murston, together with their sister Gladys (11), and grandfather Henry John Anderson (74).
Leslie, Sydney and their father William were all brickfield labourers.
By 1914, according to Leslie’s Attestation Papers, they had moved to 197 Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne, and Leslie enlisted on 22nd August 1914 at Canterbury.
He served as a Private in The Buffs for less than a year, as by 27th July 1915 he had been discharged with tuberculosis of the lung. He was regularly assessed for his Army pension, the last time being 16th October 1918.
Leslie died on the 23rd October, when he was aged 23.
He is remembered on the memorial in St Michael’s Church as well as on the Sittingbourne War Memorial.
Heritage Hub Re-Open – 22nd July 2021
We are pleased to announce that the Heritage Hub re-opened on 22nd July 2021, to co-inside with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service presentation by Lady Colgrain.
Whilst many of us are still not sure about how safe it is to venture out, the committee worked hard to introduce new aspects of the exhibition to make the return to ‘normality’ a possibility.
We would like to thank all the volunteers (Chris Andrews, Roger Chapman, Richard Emmett, Don and Jacky Harris, Jenny Kearney, Peter Mantle, Steve Palmer, Daniel Singer and Pat Watson, who have undertaken training to be stewards again to understand the new covid requirements and changes we have introduced…track and trace controls, we have a perspex sneeze screen, a foot pump hand sanitizer, facemasks & visors, limits on room capacity, new paper hand towels to mention just a few. But we also have introduced new displays.
We now have a continuous projection show on the wall of images from our archives, a stratigraphy wall activity and a new white touch screen that includes the Swale Migration Stories project (more about that in next month’s Archive). Only one volunteer stood down due to other commitments, John Masters, who we thank for his valuable ad-hock days he covered in the Heritage Hub, but we have also gained, with Vanessa Kelsey-Jansen, who has completed her induction training and has been enjoying learning the ropes on a Wednesday. Plus thank you to Don and Jacky Harris who have volunteered to cover every Tuesday (previously they covered the 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the month).
We would also like to thank all our back office researchers, who have all returned (Jessica Barnish, Janet Halligan, Catherine Fisher, Sean O’Halloran and John Weeks, plus new volunteers Alan Amos and Benedict Fisher), in addition we still have a small army of people who continue to work from home (Alan Anstee, Vanessa Ashworth, David Auger, Lisa Birch, Lynda Briggs, Sue Burford, Dean Coles, Jerry Cooley, Thelma and Graham Dudley, Margaret Edwards, Jermain Garaway, Clifford Hansford, Graeme Horner, David Hughes, Terry Matson, Geoff Moody, John Mount, Keith Robinson, Pat Robinson, Sue Shiels, John Townsend, Karen West and Brian and Mary Wimlet – sorry if I have missed anyone, please do let me know if you are busy beavering away, and I have either forgotten or not aware of what you are currently researching).
The Heritage Hub is open 5 days a week, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. We have a wealth of information for you to look at, books to buy, or if you are a member you could make an appointment to use our extensive library, with over 1000 books at your disposal. Or if you fancy being involved in one of the research projects, please Contact Us. (Some tasks can take as little as half an hour)
The Lord Lieutenant Presents Our QAVS – 22nd July 2021
On Thursday 22nd July, the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) / Heritage Hub were presented with their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain.
The award for ‘Promoting local history through research, exhibitions, events and publications’ had originally been bestowed on them in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on the 2nd June 2020, however, the presentation ceremony had been delayed due to the national covid situation.
The ceremony was held in the atrium of the Forum Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne, in the presence of many HRGS members and Heritage Hub volunteers.
Read the full story here.
Happy 98th to Local WW2 Tank Veteran Ernest Slarks – 26th March 2021
Local WW2 veteran, Ernest Slarks’ celebrated his 98th birthday, on the 26th March.
HRGS were proud to help him raise £800 from the sale of his book, Onward Christian Soldier. £400 each to Action for Children, and Cancer Research UK.
Ernest’s book tells his life story, and his journey through the Second World War provides an evocative account of his childhood in Kent and his war experiences.
Proceeds will continue to be collected for these two charities.
Ernest’s maxim “never give in”. A relevant adage for current times.
Ernest’s book tells the life story of an ordinary man who was born in Milton Regis, Kent, and his journey through the Second World War with an evocative account of his childhood in Kent and his war experiences, both joyful and stressful.
Ernest has asked that £10, from each sale, be donated to charity, split equally between Action for Children & Cancer Research UK.
Available as a Paperback from £15 (including postage and packing) for delivery to UK. For Australia, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and USA, the book price is £12 and postage is calculated at checkout, see here for details, or as a Downloadable PDF for £6 (of which £4 goes to charity).
Delivery is via Royal Mail.
For delivery to other countries and if you require more than one copy please Contact Us, with your name and address to enable us to provide a price for postage
George was a casualty of WW1 dying on 19th November 1918, just over a week after Armistice Day, from Spanish Flu. He is buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Milton Regis.
There are a number of published facts and confusions related to George’s life.
- Who was George William Stone EMPTAGE?
- Why is George listed twice on the 1891 Census?
- Were his parents married twice? And why possibly 8 years after he was born?
- Why do newspapers and websites state George was Imbecilic, and was it True?
- Why is George not on a Milton Regis Memorial?
HRGS have researched George’s life and produced his story, presenting the facts as recorded in official documents.
Manorial Documents Register – 8th February 2021
The National Archives and the Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) have been working together to improve the contents and accuracy of the Manorial Documents Register and make all of it accessible.
As part of this project the manor records for Kent, including those in the Swale area are now available at the National Archives.
Manorial documents have huge potential for family and local historians because they contain information about the lives of ordinary people going back to a period when few other sources may be available. They also add richness and detail to the information researchers can obtain from parish registers and wills.
The image right shows an entry from Cuxton Court Book, 1590 (document reference U1121/M2a).
For a list of the manor’s within Swale and more about the records click here.
HRGS Supports Swale Migration Stories
On Wednesday 28th October 2020, Swale Migration Stories project lead Justin Aggett, put this pop up window display at our Heritage Hub in the Forum Shopping Centre, which was created by our project volunteers, both young and old.
The window of full of suitcases and artworks that represent collective migration journeys but also individual responses too.
Thanks to volunteers Katie, Chantelle, Lillie and artists Corinna Lewis, Chelsea St Pierre and Emma Twyman.
You can view at the Heritage Hub in The Forum shopping centre in Sittingbourne. This represents the first of our pop up promotional events to raise awareness of our shared migration stories.
There is plenty of activities to get involved with…if you would like more information on how to take part in this Swale wide project, take a look at the Historic Swale Poster or Swale Migration Stories Facebook page.
Outstanding News – HRGS Receives the QAVS – 2nd June 2020
The Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne (HRGS) and the volunteers who run the Heritage Hub, have been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) for ‘Promoting local history through research, exhibitions, events and publications’. The award is the equivalent of an MBE to voluntary groups. Nationwide a total of 230 groups were recognised for the accolade, and HRGS are one of only four volunteer organisations from across Kent to receive one this year.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Our President Paul Auston Deputy Lieutenant Esq, said… “I am delighted that the HRGS have been recognised at a national level in this way. The group have successfully engaged with people of all backgrounds and abilities to promote local heritage in the Swale and surrounding areas, and I am proud to be associated with them. Their sterling work in promoting local history is enviable, but it is the way that they have been able to inspire a whole range of volunteers to carry out that work which is exceptional. The award is well deserved and long may they continue to prosper and carry on the good work.”
Sir Anthony Cleaver, our Patron, said… “I am delighted to see that Richard Emmett and all his team of volunteers at HRGS have been honoured with this national award. Their outstanding work researching the contribution the families of Sittingbourne and the neighbouring villages made to the nation’s cause in World War 1 has created a remarkable archive. What is not so well known is the range of local projects that they run each year and the regular talks and publications constantly adding to our area’s history. This recognition is well deserved.”
Click here for the full story.
Volunteer Swale Awards 2020 Winner – 13th March 2020
A little bit of good news…
Our chairman Richard Emmett was awarded the ‘Community Fundraiser of the Year’ award at the Swale Borough Council 2020 Volunteer Swale Awards ceremony, hosted at The Barnyard in Upchurch, on Friday 13th March.
Richard said “I was delighted and privileged to be nominated and to be awarded. It was a lovely evening in company with other award recipients and with my wife Theresa, who works so hard behind the scenes. Thank you to everyone who supports the work we do and to those who nominated me. Whilst I raise funds for various Swale heritage groups, the Kent wide Wheels of Time scheme is the most remarkable, as it brings young inquiring minds to the world of heritage across Swale and Kent.”
Archaeological Presentation to 4th Milton Cub Pack – 13th January 2020
Richard Emmett, HRGS Chairman, spent an enjoyable evening with the 4th Milton Cub Pack...the 30 Cubs present were very enthusiastic on learning about their local history and archaeology, and what they can do to earn their ‘Local Knowledge Activity Badge’.
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Any works that they produce can then be displayed in the Heritage Hub…it is so important that youngsters know more about the fascinating history the town has!
It gives a sense of place; and as we say in HRGS – ‘History is the glue that hold communities together’.
For more information on the cub and scouts and how to join click here.
2020 Talks Programme Published – 26th November 2019
Our programme of talks for next year is now available.
As in previous years we have created a varied list of topics, which we all hope you will attend to enjoy, and you may learn something new!
Click here for the list of talks on the calendar.
Top Club and Society Volunteer Team – Swale – 22nd November 2019
Theresa, Jacky and I were proud to attend Hempstead House, Bapchild, on Friday 22nd November, where we received a Kent Volunteering 2019 Award for being ‘Top Club and Society Volunteer Team – Swale’ on behalf of The Heritage Hub/HRGS. Well done to everyone who have helped us achieve this award, and especially the 150 volunteers, all our visitors and researchers who have been involved in the WW1 project since 2012, and in the Hub since 2015.
Thank you to those who nominated us for the award, and to the judges and sponsors, who recognise the valuable work undertaken by the volunteer sector.
Terry Waite CBE, the Patron of the KM Charity Team who were the main organisers, gave a very moving and inspirational address regarding his time spent in captivity in the 1980s. He explained that when he was in captivity, just knowing, that there were people in the community who cared gave him hope, which he still values today.
The awards were reported in Kentonline.
More information on the Kent Volunteering Awards can be found on their website.
Remembrance Sunday – 10th November 2019
Members of the HRGS ‘War Memorials Project’ team had a busy time of remembrance over the weekend across many of our churches around the Borough.
Here are just some of the pictures of us:
- presenting our WW1 research to a packed congregation at St Michael and All Angels church at Hartlip, and the memorial (above);
- to presenting both a Banner and a WW1 research folder to St Mary Madeleine church Stockbury (below left);
- to meeting up with the Honey family from Fareham Hampshire, who had travelled up to remember their loved one commemorated on the Bredgar memorial – Wilfred Honey who died 2nd March 1941 (below right, picture Wilfred’s son and great-grandson Ted Honey and Oliver Snow). An article about the Honeys was published in KM Online and also on KMTV.
Lest we forget.
Halloween Monster Name Winner – 1st November 2019
Well done Jensen…he named our Halloween monster ‘Freaky’ which was drawn out of the hat on Friday.
He and his mum popped into the Heritage Hub on Saturday (2 Nov) to collect his prize.
Wheels of Time Awards – 5th October 2019
Five ‘Sittingbourne Time Travellers’ collect their 2019 Wheels of Time Top Awards at the Heritage Hub in the Forum, Sittingbourne.
They had visited all 40 Wheels of Time heritage sites across Kent…and learnt about the varied aspects of the county’s history.
Well done to Daisy Elliott, Hannah Boorman, Kieran McGahern, Ryan McGahern (left) and Bailey Ryan (right).
Visit Wheels of Time or visit the Heritage Hub to find out more.
New Zealander’s visit to the Hub – 17th August 2019
These photos show the value of our WW1 research, that brought New Zealand tourist Julie Ryde to see her Great Uncle Sidney Ride’s name on the Wall of Reflection, in The Heritage Hub.
Julie also visited memorials in Sittingbourne and Milton Regis, which included Holy Trinity Church, Milton Regis.
Check if you have family links on our Parish Memorials Database.
HRGS Peace Day Celebrations Centenary Event – 29th June 2019
June the 29th 2019 was a momentous day, when the local community all came together to participate in, and witness a unique event. This was a WW1 Peace Day celebration within the Armed Forces Day parade, which coincided with the hottest day of the year, so far. Although the fighting ceased on 11th November 1918, the First World War did not officially end until the Peace Treaty was signed at Versailles, on 28th June 1919. The following month the whole country celebrated ‘Peace Day’.
See the full article here.
Happy 100th to Flo – 25th May 2019
Flo Court, one of our regular visitors to the Heritage Hub is presented with a cake to celebrate her 100th Birthday today.
Happy Birthday from everyone at The Heritage Hub.
Swale’s youngest WW1 casualty given new CWGC headstone – 23rd April 2019
A new CWGC headstone was installed for local Milton boy, Alec Ernest Grigg, who died at the young age of 14 years old.
He is the youngest casualty identified within Swale as part of the Sittingbourne Memorial Project.
See the full article here.
Sittingbourne War Memorial Project
The Heritage Lottery Fund asked recipient groups from the ‘Then and Now’ fund to make a submission to the Inquiry into Lessons from the First World War Centenary by 15th March 2019. We were one of the 115 groups who responded to the request A copy of the report is available here.
It is also a great accolade to all those who have participated in the project.
BBC South East – 11th November 2018
HRGS were pleased to be able to help Robin Gibson from the BBC South East team with his news article about the First World War that was screened on 11th November 2018.
Wall of Reflection – 4th November 2018
On Sunday 4th November 2018 the Wall of Reflection was unveiled in the Forum by the Mayor of Swale. The wall commemorates the men and one lady who lost their lives as a result of WW1:
RAF 100 – 24th March 2018
A selection of photos from the event marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of The Royal Air Force which took place at Eastchurch Aviation Museum on 24th March 2018.
A short film of an event marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of The Royal Air Force which took place at Eastchurch Aviation Museum
Eastchurch Aviation Museum celebrates the RAF at 100A short film of an event marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of The Royal Air Force which took place at Eastchurch Aviation Museum
Posted by Sittingbourne.me on Tuesday, 27 March 2018
Wheels of Time Launch
Heritage scheme for children launches in Kent called “Wheels of Time” which aims to encourage the next generation to visit history attractions across the county
Heritage scheme launches in KentVIDEO: Heritage scheme for children launches in Kent Wheels of Time aims to encourage the next generation to visit history attractions across the county, and kids will be able to collect badges along the way.
Posted by KMTV on Friday, 23 March 2018
HRGS Archaeology Taster Session
A free taster session in archaeology hosted by HRGS (Historical Research Group Sittingbourne). Filmed here in The Forum Sittingbourne Shopping Centre, by Kent Online News. See Youtube video below.
Ambulance Train Event wins National Award
Last November the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne teamed up Swale Community Rail Partnership, and Kent Community Rail Partnership with volunteers and re-enactors to stage an ambitious Swale-wide event to remember the unsung volunteer heroes and-forgotten ambulance train service of the Great War
The ambulance trains were used to transport wounded servicemen to hospitals across the UK, as far as Scotland
Last week, at the 13th Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) awards ceremony, held in The Roundhouse in Derby, it was announced that the Ambulance Event had come first in its category for ‘ACoRP Best Community Engagement Award’. Richard Emmett, chair of HRGS, attended along with representatives from the Kent Community Rail Partnership.
The Ambulance Train event began on a bitterly cold morning in November 2016 at Queenborough harbour where a dedicated group of volunteers dressed as nurses and wounded service personnel, supported by the team from Big Fish Arts re-enacted scenes of casualties being brought ashore prior to boarding an specially chartered high speed train supplied by Southeast trains to Sittingbourne.
Collecting the Award
Photos from the event
There they were joined by “The Tommies of Mons” Living History Group and the Swale Marching Band who subsequently paraded their way to the Forum Shopping Centre.
Local shoppers and visitors in The Forum shopping centre were greeted by stalls, with exhibits from Military Groups, heritage groups, re-enactors and a film about the Trains.
The Train then went back to Sheerness and a remembrance service at the Sheerness War Memorial.
It was an incredible day and well attended by local people.
Richard Emmett said “it is great news for Swale to win a national award and we would like to congratulate and thank our partners, volunteers and visitors for putting Swale on the map so well, for turning out in such numbers on an atrocious day and remembering these unsung heroes in the Great War. HRGS was delighted to be a part of the event and responded to a request by Kent Community Rail Partnership for information and supplied the research and agreed to coordinate The Forum displays and the Sittingbourne end of the project, whilst providing additional expertise where needed.”
Linda Brinklow. the then chair of Swale Rail Community Rail Partnership, co-ordinated events on the Isle of Sheppey.
The Kent Community Rail Partnership (KCRP) were given a glass crystal award and a framed certificate.
Sue Murray, chair of KCRP, was “absolutely delighted” with the result, “as it provided a thought provoking event which highlighted the role that railways and ambulance trains specifically, played during WW1.”
Wheels of Time Award
Congratulations to the Chapell family on achieving the top Wheels of Time award presented recently at the Heritage Hub in Sittingbourne. Wheels of Time is a fun way for children (and families) to explore museums and heritage sites in Kent.
