Today’s Crayford might seem an unremarkable suburb but its residents have got plenty to be proud of (and I’m not just talking about Sainsbury’s, which in 2010 was the UK’s largest branch!) Retail records aside, the town has been at the centre of innovations in industrial and military development. There are even rumours of rhinoceros remains lurking on Crayford marshes! I can’t prove that one, but I can introduce you to the rich history of Crayford past, so come with me and let’s start walking…
Did You Know?
Around 4000 men were killed at the Battle of Crayford in AD 456?
Named because it provided a ford across the river Cray, Crayford’s history has been traced back to early iron age settlements of around 30 BC. As the Roman road of Watling Street took shape it became an important staging post on the London-Dover route. Doomsday Book entries cite Crayford as having twenty-seven households, three mills and a timber church – possibly the origins of St Paulinus, which was rebuilt in the Norman style from 1100 onwards.
Those three mills were to set a precedent for enterprise in the local area. Its riverside location made it ideal for tanning (processing animal skin into workable material) which needed a ready water supply for soaking hide. Textiles would later become one of Crayford’s most profitable industries and the first silk works opened in the 17th century. Iron mills have been recorded locally at around the same time, as have barge building companies – useful for transporting goods and supplies along the river and through the marshes.
The Great Fire of Crayford!
St Paulinus has a long and dramatic history of its own, reflected in its eclectic architectural style. The Norman church has had various additions over the centuries and you may be able to spot medieval and gothic features throughout. In 1628, fire broke out in the church, destroying much of its roof and various ancient monuments. The grade two listed building suffered again in the Second World War, when nearby bombing shattered most of its windows.
Crayford’s notable residents are described in detail on the excellent website www.crayfordhistory.org.uk which I recommend. Among them, local landowner William Draper of May Place (who owned most of 17th century Crayford) was a Puritan defender of parliament and is buried in the North Chapel at St Paulinus. Charles Swaisland – a wealthy textile printer – was known for his philanthropic work, providing land and financial aid to local schools. Then of course, there’s David Evans, who in the mid-19th century began his well known silk business, eventually supplying fabric to Liberty’s of London and Christian Dior. A less glamorous side of his trade was carried out in the cattle sheds attached to the silk factory (cow dung was used in the manufacturing process!)
Crayford Manor House (which dates back to the 14th century) has been home to numerous wealthy residents, including Sir Stevenson Arthur Blackwood KCB who lived there from 1871. Guides from Bexley Libraries Local Studies describe a zealous figure who preached against the evils of drink on Crayford Bridge! In the 20th century, visitors to the Manor were more likely to be astronomers, attending classes at the on-site observatory or as members of the International Lunar Society – apparently Sir Patrick Moore was a regular during meetings in the 1950s…
Quick Quiz:
What was Crayford Town Hall’s original purpose?
a) Staff canteen
b) Library
c) School
No history of Crayford can ignore the Vickers company – once the town’s largest employer. Built in 1915, the factory produced armaments and military planes, boasting 14000 workers during the war years. It was an extensive site and even had its own theatre, provided for workers in 1916 (and rebuilt three years later following fire damage). Opposite the old town hall you’ll find statues of John Alcock and Arthur Brown, the first men to fly across the Atlantic non-stop in an aircraft designed at the Vickers factory.
The Second World War made quite an impression on Crayford too, with widespread bombing of local houses and schools. Suburban development, which began between the wars by the Ideal Homes Company, was halted during World War Two but continued afterwards, creating the commuter town we know today. However, the past is never far away in Crayford (as residents found in 2013 when an unexploded mortar bomb was discovered in the town centre!) Its Roman road, Norman church and medieval manors live on, in one form or another, if you fancy exploring some more. Just keep an eye out for those unexploded bombs…
Clair Humphries is a Script Consultant for ATS Heritage and Content Partner for Ordnance Survey.
Twitter: @clairhumphries
Instagram: clair_humphries
Question answer is
a) it was the Vickers staff canteen and mess room.