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An Historical Photographic Archive of National Importance

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Nostalgic memories of Rainham's local history

Share your own memories of Rainham 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.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for Rainham

Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 11 in total

The Toy Shop And Miss Swann’s School

I lived in the Toy shop in the early 1950’s and went to Miss Swann’s school which I think was somewhere near the clock tower? I remember twin girls, maybe Patricia and Pauline, their father owned a timber merchants. My maiden name was Willats. Does anyone have any pictures of the shop or school or have any information that links with my memories?
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Added 07 January 2021

Fishing At Berwick Ponds
I used to ride my cycle from Blacksmiths Lane in South Hornchurch to fish in Berwick Ponds in late 50's and early 60's. I have good memories of sitting on the bank on many a Sunday listening to "Round the Horn", "Billy Cotton's Band Show" and "Hancock's Half Hour" playing on my little battery transistor radio, drinking hot Bovril from my flask and dipping my cheese sandwiches in - ugh! Sometimes the farmer's ...see more
Rainham, Berwick Pond c1960
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Added 17 February 2019

Dr.Deri Stevens
I am struggling to find much about this highly-respected doctor who lent his name to Deri Park - once home to Rainham Town football club. I know that in the 1950's he had a surgery in Rainham (Wennington Road?) and another in Blacksmiths Lane, South Hornchurch and that he was a school governor at Whybridge School. I was told by my parents that he saved my life as an infant and almost ended it several years later when I ran across the road in front of his expensive sports car! Alan Wilson
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Added 12 February 2019

Fond Memories From The Sixties
The river used our playground then before the river ingrebourne was blocked off from the tidal Thames to alleviate flooding in Rainham. Further down river were the old ww2 concrete barges that we used to clamber over while almost getting cut off by rising tide. I lived on the Dovers est. in Evansdale just off New Zealand way from 1952 to 1973..This photo brings back so many memories...
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Added 07 January 2019

Baker
I grew up & lived in Rainham from 1955 until 1967 when my family migrated to Australia. Oh what wonderful childhood memories these photos evoke. What a lovely time. I wonder if anyone remembers the Baker family from Mygrove Close
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Added 24 May 2018

Rainham Memory's

Hi, just read your post. Very interesting. Was one of your brothers called Ray.? If so I was at school with him. Re Park Lane Motors, yes remember them well. I was friends with Jeff Smith who used to own and drive big American cars. Did you know where the name Park Lane Motors came From? It was where they used to live in Aveley. My dad, who also worked at Murex used to do a bit of private hire with a firm called ...see more
Rayners in Rainham
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Added 19 August 2017

Rayners In Rainham
I moved into Rainham in the very early '60s in fact into Princes Park, then about 4 years later into Ingrebourne Rd then during the early '70s into Rothbury Avenue and later after I got married, into Avelon Rd during the mid '80s before leaving the area altogether. I remember the little shop called Jacksons on Southend Rd and Kildares down Wennington Rd and the cottages along Bridge Rd. My mum worked for a while ...see more
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Added 26 May 2017

Rainham Village
I lived in rainham, betterton road from 1940 onwards, then moved to New Zealand way in around 1955. I used to attend dancing classes at Harry Doughty School Heathway from 1956 I would love anyone who was in the same area and perhaps danced, to contact me. Some people who went there were called, Ken Davis, Helen, Valerie, Stan, Josie and Mac. Tony. Alfred Masters who I think lived in Elm Park, we had some good ...see more
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Added 22 March 2015

Blacksmith Great Grandfather
My great grandfather Frederic Fynn, came to Rainham in 1875 after he married Louisa Virgin of Ilford. He had his shop in Back Lane. He had a number of children, one being my grandfather Harry Robert Fynn. My father Henry John Fynn, was also born in Rainham, but I was born in Dagenham, in Becontree Avenue in 1946.
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Added 01 May 2012

Summers Spent At My Grandparents
My grandparents moved to Rainham in the 1930s and were there during the Second World War. After the war my mother married at St Helen's and St Gile's and when I was born, in 1952, my earliest and fondest memories are of my grandparents' house on Wilfred Avenue. Granddad helped start Rainham F.C. and was always running about arranging dances and raffles for fund raising for the club but there was ...see more
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Added 22 April 2010