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The Chatham Dockyard Historical Society is a registered charity (No 287263) composed of about 130 members all of whom are volunteers dedicated to upholding the memory of Chatham Dockyard's contribution to serving the Royal Navy over the past four centuries. All CDHS members receive a copy of the Society's Journal, CHIPS, which is published bi-annually. 

>>> New members welcome. If you have the time to spare and are interested in helping, please do call in or contact us.
Why not join us and help preserve the history and artefacts from the Dockyard. We also have get togethers where we have taIks on various subjects and film shows.  Working in close partnership with the Historic Dockyard Trust, we help run the Steam, Steel & Submarines Gallery and the Royal Dockyard Library Reading Room.

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>>> Next event.  Sunday 15th December -- Fellowship Festive Function

All CDHS Members are warmly invited to come to our Christmas meeting on Sunday 15th December 2024, 2.30pm in the Volunteers Lounge, 1st Floor, Fitted Rigging House, Historic Dockyard, Chatham.

ESSENTIAL -- please let us know you are coming by either emailing [email protected] or texting 07714 719 225.  Please mention any special dietary or allergy needs.  Deadline for RSVPs is Sunday 1st December 2024.

Our Patron, HH Andrew Patience KC and his wife, HH Adele Williams KC will give a fascinating talk about their experiences as judges in the Law Courts.

Festive refreshments and food provided.

Please bring your own alcoholic drinks and glasses.  Tea, coffee and soft drinks available.

Raffle in aid of Fellowship funds with a selection of festive prizes.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Very, very important -- for catering purposes, you must let us know who is coming by emailing [email protected] or texting 07714 719 225.  Thank you.

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>>> Historical research enquiries are welcomed.  Our Members can assist you with any historical query related to Chatham Dockyard, HMS Pembroke or personnel who served on board the Chatham Division warships. Our reference resources are extensive and include our Dockyard Photographic Collection.  Please come to the Steam, Steel and Submarines Gallery to find our Information Desk or use the Contact CDHS tab above.

>>> Shirley Goodhew awarded BEM in the King's Birthday Honours, June 2024.  Read more details.

CDHS Research Papers

All listed below are available for purchase.  The prices shown are valid from March 2024 onwards.  Please use the Contact CDHS tab above to order.

1     The Royal Marines in Chatham  £1.00

2     Convicts in the Dockyard   £1.00

3     Chatham Built Submarines  £2.00   

4      Naval Cannon    £0.50   

5     Bugler Timmins R.M.      £0.50

6     HMS Chatham   £1.00

7     Naval Shipbuilding  £0.50   

8     The Tudor Dockyard at Chatham  £1.00 

9     WW1 Service History of Chatham Built Warships  £2.00

10     Important Events in Dockyard History  £1.00

11     HMS Victory  £1.00

12     Commissioners in Residence   £0.50 

13     The Master Attendant’s Letter Book 1811 - 1814  £1.00 

14     Tiddlers (Tugs)  £0.50 

15     Battle of the River Plate 1939  £1.00

16     Riggers  £1.00

17     Coopers  £0.50 

18     Workers of the Sail & Colour Lofts 1800 – 1946  £1.50 

19     John Rennie at Chatham  £1.00

20     Chatham Dockyard in the Second World War   £1.50 

21     Admiralty Correspondence to Chatham Commissioner 1712-1715  £2.50 

22     Chatham Whitworth Scholars  £0.50 

23     RN Barracks Chatham, HMS Pembroke  £1.50 

24     The Shipbuilding Family of PETT  £1.00 

25A     Admiralty Correspondence to Chatham Dockyard Officers 1712 -1714  £1.00 

25B     Admiralty Correspondence to Chatham Dockyard Officers 1714 -1716  £1.00 

26     The Sawmills of Chatham Dockyard  £0.50 

27     The Coast Watch  £0.50 

28     HMS Southampton 1937 – 1941  £1.10 

29     Patternmaking & Patternmakers in the Dockyard  £2.00 

30     The Building of HMS Victory  £2.00 

31     Working in the Expense Account Department 1944 - 1983  £2.00 

32     Admiralty Letters to Chatham's Commissioner 1708 – 1712  £1.25 

33     The Lead & Paint Mill   £1.00 

34     The Fitted Rigging House   £1.00 

35     The Prince of 1670  £2.00

36     Chatham Dockyard in the First World War   £1.00 

37     The Dockyard Church  £1.00 

38     The Trafalgar Medal    £1.00 

39     Chatham Figurehead Carvers  £1.00 

40     A History of The Dockyard’s Police  £2.00 

41     Apprentices & the Dockyard School  £2.00 

42     The Naval Stores Department  £1.00 

43     The Dockyard’s Railways   £2.00 

44     Chatham's Historic Warships: Cavalier, Gannet & Ocelot  £2.25 

45     The Dockyard's Honours Boards  £1.50

46     Chatham Built Vessels 1579 - 1974  £2.00

47     Chatham Dockyard Roll of Honour  £2.00

48   The Chatham Dockyard Memorial List  £2.00