Well what is surprising is that it’s a Zeppelin, doing trips over London, something that was going on over Thurrock during the Great War! This modern airship is the largest commercial one in the world at over 75m, bigger than a Boeing 747.
Its rotating engines allow her to hover, fly forwards, backwards, up and down like a helicopter and can turn on a penny.
Going back to 1916 it was Zeppelin LZ16 that tried to drop bombs on the Royal Gunpowder Magazines at Purfleet. The anti-aircraft guns protecting the magazine, directed by its captain standing on top of the water tower close to Purfleet School, scored a hit on the tail plane and rudder, bringing the airship down at the Nore in the Thames.
The Lord Mayor of London awarded a gold medallion to all the gunners who took part in its destruction. The medal has on one side an anti aircraft gun with the words “Well Hit” March 31st – 1st April 1916.
HISTORY FEED BACK: Hayley Chaplin needs some help. She emailed this enquiry: “I have lived in Tilbury all my life and my father used to live in Grays when he was a child. He used to tell us stories about a huge house by the name of The Echoes, which was owned by the Seabrooke family. Unfortunately I have not been able to obtain any information about this property although I do know that it was situated in Argent Street and the grounds extended to Bridge Road. I would be grateful if you could let me know any information or the addresses of any websites that I can visit to obtain information about this house. It is purely for my own benefit after hearing stories about the house I would like to know more about it.” Any readers who can help please contact me and I will pass it on to Hayley.
HISTORY FACT OF THE WEEK: 20th August 1684: Cornelius Van der Vanker states in his will he owns West Thurrock.
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