This was supplied by Paul Stephens
Just a quick Image of My Grandfather notice in the local paper of his death mentioned two Rainham institutes in the Coop and Walkley brothers. Can’t believe he started working at 10 yeas old on the farm.
John Willoughby Gray and Felicity Pownall-Gray and they lived in Bloor's Place on the Lower Rainham Road. These photos were taken of their attendance at the Coronation party in 1953 at Army & Navy pub Rainham Kent. Willoughby Gray was an actor and movie star in the 1950s and 1960sl. He played Robin in the 1950s series The Adventures of Robin Hood and found later fame in movies such as The Princess Bride and View to a Kill. Willoughby Gray was born on November 5, 1916 in London, England and died in 1993.
Photo thanks to Jane Absolom
I have been researching my family over the last few years and found that my Great Great Grandmother Mary Ann Brearey was the local postmistress in Rainham around the 1870’s. She had a fascinating life being born in a pub in Mersham Nr Ashford as her father was the landlord, then travelling to Australia on a ship with her sister from Gravesend, marrying a stonemason from York, having 4 children, then unfortunately her husband dying and then returning back with her 4 young children and settling in Rainham to become postmistress and Berlin wool and stationery seller, I have attached document of local directory from the time and a photo of her.
Her name was Mrs Mary Ann Brearey, the children names James, Elizabeth, George and my great grandad Henry, they all lived at 50 High street Rainham.