Bethany Jordan’s Work Experience – 24th August 2026
I started my work experience on the 13th of July and after a week it ends today on the 17th. I have found my time here very educational as I learnt things about local history and history in general, I was unaware of over the course of these five days from an array of different people who contribute to the upkeep of HRGS.
On the first day I had a tour around the HRGS Annex Research Room going into the library and archive room, being shown the efforts that the HRGS is doing to conserve local history. They had items such as hundred years’ worth of East Kent Gazette publication, along with books on local history written by their members or other local authors such as my Nan Lena Jordan.
On my second day I started with auditing more finds from the Boyces Hill Dig. This time we had items such as decorative pottery shards, black burmish ware and tile shards. Many of the items were roman as a section of Watling Street runs through the house’s back garden. We then updated the backlog of time sheets from the past couple of weeks and the last dig. Doing this I learnt how to use a spreadsheet correctly skills that could be transferable in the future. I did more of the ancestry of the soldiers from WW1 going through systematically through making sure all the surname starting with J had profiles. So that more research could continue on the men in the future contributing to keeping their memory alive. I then started to curate my museum of life deciding what items I deemed important enough to include.
And then on my third day I started to write an article for The Archive detailing Jane Austen’s visit to the George Inn in 1808. I read her letter detailing the visit to Sittingbourne on the way to Godmersham to visit her brother. While on this visit her friend purchased some gloves and Jane described having a kindly conversation with Mr and Mrs Marshall while at the George Inn. After this I researched into Jane as a person describing her lead up to being a successful author along with a brief account of her life. I then looked into the George Inn in general learning that it used to brew the church ales until it changed into an Inn in 1714 and that it stayed like this until it was bought by Sheperd Neame Breweries in 1884. Overall, I found this research very interesting as I wasn’t aware of this local history. Next, I read over the Sittingbourne Street Names Project adding road names that weren’t recorded since they are on the new spring acres estate. From reading through the names and their definitions I discovered who and what historical events some of them are named after. After this I started to look over the Sheppey Street Names Project, from what information was already on there I learnt that there is a road on Sheppey named after Elizabeth Strides one of Jack the Rippers victims as her husband was from sheerness. I then transcribed all the A names in Sheppey from the hand written research along with all the definitions. I found this really interesting as it shows how deeply our heritage and history is embedded.
Next on day four I did more research into E Jordan. We then identified him as Edward Jordan who had signed up to the army at age 16 but lied on this record that he was 18 falsifying his year of birth as 1887. While serving he suffered a shrapnel wound to the shoulder, heat stroke, was gassed and being kicked in the knee by a horse. He was on the frontline while this was occurring after each of these aliments he would be sent back to the frontline even though they sent him to England to receive medical care for his knee injury. But his army career would end in 1918 when he started to get heart issues and he was sent home with disability. At this time, he was living with his brother who also worked at the Lloyd’s Paper Mill because of this we are presuming that E Jordan is Edward. After just a few months at home Edward passed away on the 31th October 1918 from a heart attack and influenza at age 29. We learnt this from requesting his death certificate but his date of death surprised us as we thought he had died in 1919 as the commonwealth war graves state but in actual fact, we discovered they have the wrong date of death for him resulting in confusion when we were conducting our research. I particularly enjoyed doing this as it rehumanised Edward as he was no long ‘E’ now we knew his life story which I think was crucial in giving him back his humanity as he was someone’s son who gave his life for this country. His story deserves to be told. I also added further to my article about the George Inn this time refining my knowledge using the books from the library on the local establishment. It is from this that I learned about the Inn aspect of the business and how it was originally called The George and Dragon. Because of this they themed the Inn around it having wyverns carved into the fireplace and they gave out tokens of St George slaying the dragon. I then went back to the archeologically side of the local history and did technical drawings. These items were fragments of a Roman pot which were a handle, the handle attachment and a fragment of the actual pot. Another item I drew was a rim of an iron age pot. These drawings allowed us to document the find, its weight, length and circumference which meant they could easily be located in the future.
Today I finished off my museum of life having five items on their overall. I had my Vogue collection on there I started it in December 2023 when I was gift one for Christmas by my Nan. I presume I now have around 50 as I have collection editions from all over the world by being gifted them and getting them when I am traveling or ordering them online. The next item I added was my book collection in general as I have always been a reader, the genres I read mostly are classics, fantasy, poetry, fashion and history. I like books due to the escapism and understanding they can give you. For my next item I did my 1930s copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen. I bought this while visiting Jane Austen’s house. This is currently my favourite book as I really enjoy Anne Elloitt and Frederick Wentworth’s love story. With the class differences they had to overcome along with prejudice from their own families about perusing a relationship with each other. The next thing on my list is an image from when we went on our Australia trip in 2023. We were surprised with the trip when our family came over for Christmas in 2021. We were out their for about a month with them in Sydney. We enjoyed it so much that we plan to go out with our whole family in 2027. The last image on my museum of life is a picture of my sewing machine, as I sew prolifically with it and have had it for 6 years. I have made a range of items on this. I found this really interesting to do as it made me dissect what items and events in my life are truly important to me. Today we also took a preliminary look at the Faversham 1918 gunpowder explosion seeing all the men that the HRGS have identified and covered their life stories so far. This starts to humanise them further as most of them just rest in a mass grave since many were left unidentified after the tragedy.
Overall after this experience, I would recommend other young people to take up this volunteering opportunity as I really enjoyed my time here.
Official Opening of the Heritage Annex in Rainham – 23rd May 2026
On Saturday 23rd May, the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne was delighted to welcome Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Simon Dean OBE DL, who officially opened the Heritage Annex in Rainham as our President, Paul Auston DL was unavailable due to work commitments and asked Simon to stand in for him.
Simon has a long-standing connection with Sittingbourne, as he is the grandson of Donald Dean VC, the town’s First World War Victoria Cross recipient, and has therefore long been aware of the work undertaken by HRGS, especially the work and events the group took on during the WW1 Centenary. We were especially honoured that this visit marked his first official engagement as a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent.
During a two-hour tour of the Heritage Annex, Simon explored the extensive displays prepared for the occasion and learned more about the remarkable resources held by HRGS, including our library, paper archives, and archaeological collections.
He was highly complimentary about the work of the group and shared inspirational words which were greatly appreciated by all present. This included a special ‘thank you’ to Nigel and Sue Hidson, who were also at the opening, who invited HRGS to take over the top floor of their premises at 110 High Street, Rainham.
And… I would personally like to thank once again all the ‘team’ of HRGS members and volunteers for moving us from The Forum to the Annex in Rainham; and for those who were involved in preparing the Annex for occupation. We now have a refurbished kitchenette thanks to Wendy Moss, Graham and Thelma Dudley, Caleb Watson, and Theresa and I had a couple of shifts of painting! It has been truly an ‘extraordinary’ effort by all involved – It looks brilliant, thank you!
During our two-day open weekend (23rd and 24th May), we welcomed just under 40 volunteers and visitors. As a result, we had many new members of the public and HRGS members keen to see what we are about, plus the potential of four new diggers, additional research on WW2 fallen Fred Austin, and two possible family archive donations. Theresa was also gifted a book exploring the stories of five of the women connected to Jack the Ripper, which will be very useful in preparation for our October talk. A gift of a hot water urn and table mounted magnifying glass, we also received an offer from one of our members to learn the 360-degree software, began discussions about collaborating on East Kent Gazette images, and may have the opportunity to visit the late Frank Panton’s archaeological library. Plus we sold two books and received several enquiries from people hoping to arrange future visits after being unable to attend over the weekend.
Overall, it was a very positive and productive event — although the exceptionally lovely weather may well have tempted a few people elsewhere, the good weather makes quite a change for a bank holiday weekend!
The Move and New Research Room in Rainham – 1st March 2026
After eleven highly successful years, the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne closed its Heritage Hub at the Forum Shopping Centre on 6th February 2026.
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our members, volunteers, friends, and family, we have successfully completed the move to our new home at: 2nd Floor Heritage Annex, 106–110 High Street, Rainham, ME8 8AR.
Sadly though, the public cannot just turn up, as we share our access, so the ground floor is locked. Though we will be pleased to receive visitors by appointment.
The move required all our items to be relocated, up three flights of stairs. The items included 5,000 books, 197 boxes of artifacts and documents, 20 bookcases, desks, chairs and various other items. In all, about 5,700 items.
The move was nothing short of a herculean undertaking. Over several demanding days, an exceptional display of loyalty, commitment, teamwork undertaken by 41 individuals, in convoy in their cars, by their sheer determination it brought the move-phase to a triumphant conclusion after 1069 hours, equalling 172 man days!
One Era Ends and a New Era Begins – 6th February 2026
On Friday 6th February 2026 after 11 wonderful years HRGS’s Heritage Hub in The Forum, Sittingbourne, closed its doors. Pictured are the HRGS Committee, some members and volunteers outside the Hub on this milestone day.
While this is a big change, it’s not the end — it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Sittingbourne’s history.
Monthly Heritage Pop-UpFrom March, you’ll find us in the Forum on the first Saturday of every month — bring photos or artefacts, collect The Archive, pre-order books, or just come and say hello.
Talks, Digs & UpdatesOur talks at the Avenue Theatre will continue, along with our summer archaeology digs. You’ll still get news via our website, Facebook and The Archive newsletter.
Research Room in RainhamOur library, archaeology collection and archives will be available at 110 High Street, Rainham by appointment. Many volunteering roles can also be done from home, including research, writing, cataloguing and transcription. Message us, if you would like to be involved.
Working with Sittingbourne Heritage MuseumWe’re strengthening our partnership to bring local history to life in new and exciting ways.
A New High Street HomeWe’re working with Swale Borough Council to secure a new permanent base in Sittingbourne’s High Street.
The Train That Jump The Gap – 24th January 2026
Richard Emmett’s book The Train That Jump The Gap prompted Steve Ladner to contact HRGS to make a recording about some of the research that Richard has undertaken regarding the train that jumped the gap.
This World War II disaster at Oak Lane, Upchurch, examines a unique local wartime incident that occurred on Wednesday 16th August 1944, when nine people lost their lives with many more being injured.
Click here for the link if you wish to listen to the BBC Radio Kent recording.
Richard’s book is available from our shop priced at £12.00.
Bapchild WW2 Book of Remembrance – 15th November 2025
On Saturday, the 15th November, HRGS attended St Laurence Church, Bapchild and were pleased to present them with their folder of research which had been undertaken by HRGS’ ‘War Memorial Project’ team.
Research into the local parishes fallen from WW1 and WW2 has been taking place over the last 13 years… it is by far our longest continuing local research project which has additional names and information coming to light almost weekly!
(L-R) Theresa Emmett, Alarni, Richard Emmett, Margaret Edwards from Bapchild church, and Janet Halligan.
Ethelbert Road Council School WW2 War Memorial – 11th November 2025
On 11th November, our Treasurer Stephen Palmer, attended the Remembrance service at The Abbey School, Faversham, and laid a wreath on behalf of the Imperial War Museum, as he is a volunteer for their War Memorial Register.
The Abbey School are custodians of a oak WW2 War Memorial from the former Ethelbert Road Council School, commemorating 37 old boys.
At the service Stephen also presented a Book of Remembrance, on behalf of HRGS, with the stories of each of the 37 names commemorated on the memorial. The Book of Remembrance has been posted by The Abbey School here.
Below is shown Stephen alongside Simon Dannell (The Abbey School), Explorer and Scouts, Reverend Dan Corcoran, and Kayleigh Masters, a cadet who attends the school.
Visit The Heritage Hub in The Forum, Sittingbourne, to see more on the memorial and the stories of the names on HRGS’ inter-active display.
Kemsley and Grovehurst WW2 War Memorial Re-Dedication – 27th October 2025
HRGS celebrate 21 years – 14th June 2025
Sir Anthony Cleaver
It is with great sadness that we report that the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne’s patron Sir Anthony Cleaver passed away peacefully on Sunday, 13th July 2025, aged 87.
HRGS on Tiktok – February 2025
HRGS hosted three students, Oscar, Zofia and Torres, from Westlands School from 10th to 14th February 2025.
During the week they were involved in several activities including scanning, bagging and cataloguing archaeological finds, researching Polish airmen and The Coniston Hotel, researching WW2 casualties.
They also created a script and filmed inside the heritage Hub, taking multiple attempts to film the clip to a good standard, for Tiktok.
Here is the link to the advert on Tiktok.
The students were enthusiastic in participating in the various activities, and had some great discussions on various topics and putting the world to rights, with the volunteers they met during their week.
Can you help to identify WW2 and WW1 names? – 12th January 2025
HRGS has been running the War Memorials Project for eight years, whose objective was initially to identify Sittingbourne’s World War One fallen that were commemorated on local war memorials. The project expanded to include Milton Regis and surrounding villages and then to the whole of Swale.
The project expanded to identify all of Swale’s War memorials, numbering about 230, with help from the Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register.
The project was then further expanded to include World War Two fallen.
The project has identified about 3,300 fallen from World War One and about 1,260 for World War Two.
As 2025 is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, HRGS would like your help to identify 30 names where research has yet to identify who they were.
The list of names can be found here.
Avenue of Remembrance Poppies – 1st November 2024
HRGS at Sittingbourne Carnival – 25th August 2024
Sittingbourne Carnival was revived this year after five years absence with over 40 floats taking part. It was great fun and started at Milton Regis recreation ground and finished at Bell Road, Sittingbourne.
HRGS had a ‘walking float’ and dressed up as wartime characters from the 1940’s pushing a wheelbarrow of produce, plus handing out leaflets about HRGS.
Read more here.
Kemsley Mill – Heritage Celebrations – 13th July 2024
Saturday 13th July saw DS Smith celebrate 100 years of Kemsley Mill at The Appleyard Sports Ground, Gore Court Road, which included many items covering the history of the mill and also a Vintage Fair.
The Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne had a stand at the Fair, to promote the group and a most enjoyable afternoon was had.
The team met and talked with DS Smith past and present employees, as well as letting the community know about HRGS’ research and archaeological work locally. We also promoted the children focused heritage scheme – Wheels of Time, which now has 57 sites across the county of Kent.
We even had the pleasure of meeting the Mill Manager David Deparis and Mill Director Rogier Gerritsen plus family descendants of the Sittingbourne mill owner, Edward Lloyd, whose son Frank Lloyd then built Kemsley Mill.
Read the full news article here.
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.
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.
Sittingbourne Remembrance Sunday 13th November 2022
HRGS was involved in organising the delivery of Sittingbourne’s Remembrance Day on Sunday 13th November 2022. HRGS were pleased to be asked by the Royal British Legion Chaplain Pat Tatchell to assist with organising this year’s event. HRGS had previous experience of organising similar events during the WW1 commemorations (Somme 100, two events in 2016; The Ambulance Train Event in 2016; Passchendaele 100 event in 2017; the RAF 100 event in 2018 and the Peace Day event in 2019.) So, with that pedigree behind us, we could hardly say no.
To read the full story click here.
WW2 RAF Iwade man Leonard Richard Shrubsall buried 79 years after his plane was lost – 28th September 2022
On the morning of 28th September 2022, local Iwade man Leonard Richard Shrubsall and his fellow crew members of Stirling bomber BK716 were buried with full military honours at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.
More can be found on our post.
Ivy Chapman – Sittingbourne’s International Goalkeeper
With England’s historic win on 31st July 2022 to become European Champions, it is a good time to remember Sittingbourne’s own England international goalkeeper, Ivy Chapman.
Ivy was also a traffic warden in Sittingbourne and a Land Army girl.
HRGS have published a book about Ivy at £2, available in the Heritage Hub in The Forum or available from our online shop. Also available as a an e-book on our shop.
Wheels of Time ‘2022 Top Awards’ – June 2022
Congratulations to Jack Barrell, aged 11 from Lydd (left in the photo) and 10 year old Sophie Friday from Sittingbourne, who collected ALL 53 badges from participating Wheels of Time museums and heritage sites across Kent. https://www.facebook.com/WheelsOfTime/
Jack was presented his award by Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Paul Auston DL and HRGS Chair Richard Emmett, on 7th June 2022 and was the first to collect all 53 badges.
Sophie was presented her award by Richard on 11th June 2022.
You can read more on their stories here.
HRGS attend Royal Garden Party – 25th May 2022
What better occasion than the in the Queen’s Jubilee year for Theresa and Richard Emmett (Chair of HRGS) to visit Buckingham Palace!
They were thrilled to have been invited to a Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 25th May and to represent HRGS.
Their invitation was related to HRGS being awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) in June 2020.
To see more and pictures of the day click here.
Ernest Slarks (1923-2022)
HRGS are saddened to announce the passing of WW2 veteran, Methodist preacher and local family man, Ernest Slarks, on the 28th March 2022.
He passed away after a short illness, two days after his 99th birthday.
HRGS was proud to have worked with Ernest to produce and publish his biography in May 2020, which resulted in two cheques which we helped him present to his favourite charities (Cancer Research and Action for Children) from the sale of his books in April 2021.
News Archive
Visit our News Archive page to view published News items from HRGS prior to this year.
Items include, plus many more:
1st December 2021 – WW1 Leslie Anderson – Recognised as a CWGC Casualty
22July 2021 – Heritage Hub Re-Open
22nd July 2021 – The Lord Lieutenant Presents our QAVS
26th March 2021 – Happy 98th to Local WW2 Tank Veteran Ernest Slarks
8th February 2021 – Manorial Documents Register
2nd June 2020 – HRGS Receives the QAVS
13th March 2020 – Volunteer Swale Awards 2020 Winner
13th January 2020 – Archaeological Presentation to 4th Milton Cub Pack
22nd November 2019 – Top Club and Society Volunteer Team – Swale
17th August 2019 – New Zealander’s visit to the Hub
29th June 2019 – HRGS Peace Day Celebrations Centenary Event
23rd April 2019 – Swale’s youngest WW1 casualty given new CWGC headstone
4th November 2018 – Sittingbourne War Memorial Project
4th November 2018 – Wall of Reflection1 Decem