Chatham, lying on the River Medway in Kent, grew up around its naval dockyard, various army barracks and fortifications. Over the years the face of Chatham has changed: buildings lost, many once occupied by artisans and labourers, shops, chapels and residences removed due to extensive road projects, and cinemas and theatres now replaced or redeveloped. Impossible to ignore is the town’s history as a former military-industrial complex, with its barracks demolished and a Georgian naval dockyard that has also undergone much change now a museum and heritage centre.
Lost Chatham presents a portrait of this area of North Kent over the last century to recent decades that has radically changed or disappeared, showing not only industries and buildings that have gone but also people and street scenes, many popular places of entertainment and much more. This fascinating photographic history of lost Chatham will appeal to all those who live in the area or know it well, as well as those who remember it from previous decades.