A Photographic Legacy: Boxing Day, Soldiers Sun Pier, Jess Conrad, Autoyachts

Young Patients on Boxing Day, 1952, in St.Barts Hospital, Rochester.

It looks as though Father Christmas found this little girl, in

her cot which was presented to the hospital in 1932 by the Richard Watts Charity. Above the bed is a notice from December 1913 which reads ''This cot is maintained by the voluntary contributions of children attending the elementary schools of the Borough of Chatham.''

This was, of course, before the days of the NHS, but perhaps also a glimpse of the future?? I do hope not, and also that these historical items have been preserved somewhere as this historic hospital is now closed and up for sale - sad times.

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The infamous tidal surge that swamped the east coast of England and north Kent in 1953 was the worst such disaster in living memory. The Isle of Sheppey was marooned as four miles of water separated residents from the mainland. There was no A249 Sheppey Crossing over The Swale back then. The road and railway links were submerged, and phone lines were down. Cattle and sheep were drowned, but luckily there were no human fatalities, although a few hundred suffered from exposure. The flood came during the night. The Army and the Navy ferried supplies out to them, the Navy working from Chatham Dockyard, and the Army from nearby Sun Pier. Clothing, coal and firewood that were donated by Rotarians in Hythe, blankets and hot meals were all welcomed by the victims.

These photographs were taken on behalf of the Milk Marketing Board as the soldiers willingly loaded the boat and carried the white stuff out to the islanders.

Pier Chambers on the right of the picture was home to the North Kent Area Planning Office.

A good view of Sun Pier, with Hooker Flour mill on the right.

Their work completed the soldiers relax and pose for the photographer.

Knight tug 'Kathleen', with three crew members on board, nudges the precious cargo into deep water, as an industrial landscape behind is evident, from Doust Shipyard around to the Crown and Quarry cement works. Gasholders dominate the scene and the line of cranes at Cory Wharf are eagerly unloading the waiting ships - oh, those were the days!!

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Jess Conrad was born Gerald Arthur James on 24th February 1936 in Brixton. A popular singer during the 50's and 60's this heart-throb was also a successful actor, and was once considered for the role of James Bond. He has been in a catalogue of film productions alongside many famous names, and starred in the stage productions of Godspell and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. As a jobbing actor he once shared a flat in Chelsea with Terence Stamp and Michael Caine - not a lot of people know that!!

Drink or drugs have never featured in his life, and he considers keeping fit important. He was goalkeeper for the Showbiz X1, taking on the task without any previous experience, and eventually became their manager, who worked above and beyond the call of duty, designing the logo, drumming up sponsorship, negotiating with the FA, and packing hampers for when the team travelled away. He even had it written into his film contracts that he be flown back to London on Saturdays to play football. Now their President he merely introduces the team before a game.

This photograph was taken in 1963 at the Bull Hotel in Rochester, accompanied by Renee Bergman, a Dutch model who used to be the face of Camay soap, and whom he married the same year. They went on to have two daughters, Sasha and Natalie. The couple are still married today, which in itself is a remarkable feat in showbusiness!

A member of the Grand Order of Water Rats he was King Rat in 2013. His services to charity been recognised and this popular character has been awarded an O.B.E.

His latest film, released in 2016, was 'Mob Handed' in which he stars as the Judge.

For any fans reading this he is appearing at the Criterion Theatre, 69 High Street, Blue Town, Sheerness, on March 18th this year. It is advertised as 'a fun-filled evening of anecdotes and film clips as Jess recalls his fabulous life,' Certainly not a bad life for a fellow who left school unable to read or write!