Glimpse history through old images of Purfleet (Purfleet-on-Thames), Essex, England.
Purfleet Flood 1953
1953 saw bad flooding across the east of England. Several members of the royal family headed off to Tilbury, Mablethorpe, and Sutton on Sea to visit afflicted residents, as well as Cambridge to see some of the relief efforts.
Meanwhile a young Queen Elizabeth II visited Purleet, where houses marked the highest water line point with white lines, almost at the top of front doors.
Queen Tours Flood Areas (1953) – British Pathé on YouTube
Dartford Tunnel 1957
The 1950s construction of the Dartford Tunnel between Dartford in Kent and Purfleet in Essex was a major piece of engineering which would help relieve East London of much of its heavy traffic.
While this newsreel doesn’t show the local area except for a view across the River Thames, it’s a notable part of the area’s history in the twentieth century.
Tunnelling Under The Thames (1957) – British Pathé on YouTube
Purfleet Station 1986
The focus on this home movie, recorded on 19th March 1986, is on the British Rail passenger and freight trains, but it also shows the railway station platforms and bridge.
British Rail Purfleet March 1986 – Soi Buakhao on YouTube
Historic Book
Extract from: A review of England and Wales, in which the historical events of every town, village, and place are briefly expressed, by J. Gronow
Published in 1849
Page 217
PURFLEET , Essex , 18 miles from London , a town
ship , between Erith Reach and Long Reach , has a
considerable public magazine for gunpowder , which
is stored in several detached buildings , all bomb
proof . There are also here some very extensive lime
works .
Historic Book
Extract from: Leigh’s New Pocket Road-book of England and Wales
Containing a Description of Every Principal Town and Remarkable Place ; to which are Added Pleasure Tours to the Most Picturesque Parts of the Country, by Samuel Leigh
Published in 1840
Page 415
PURFLEET ( Essex ) , near the Thames , is chiefly inha
bited by persons engaged in the neighbouring lime and chalk
pits . Here are immense powder magazines belonging to
Government . The heights on the river side command fine
views . Par . Pop . 804 .
More about Essex
- Old Images of Essex, England
- Old Images of West Hangingfield, Essex
- Old Images of Purfleet (Purfleet-on-Thames), Essex
- Old Images of Wickford, Essex
- Old Images of West Thurrock, Essex
- Old Images of Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
- Old Images of Tilbury, Essex
- Old Images of Thaxted, Essex
- Old Images of South Ockenden, Essex
- Old Images of Shoeburyness, Essex
- Old Images of Rochford, Essex
- Old Images of Maldon, Essex
- Old Images of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
- Old Images of Harwich, Essex
- Old Images of Harlow, Essex
- Old Images of Halstead, Essex
- Old Images of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex
- Old Images of Chigwell, Essex
- Old Images of Canvey Island, Essex
- Old Images of Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex
