Brompton, Medway

infobox UK place
official_name = Brompton
country = England
region = South East England
unitary_england = Medway
lieutenancy_england = Kent
latitude=51.389
longitude= 0.5309
population =
shire_district =
constituency_westminster = Gillingham
post_town =
postcode_district = ME
postcode_area =
dial_code = 01634
os_grid_reference=

Brompton is an ancient village near Chatham, once in Kent county, now in the Medway conurbation, England. Its name means a 'a farmstead where broom grows´. Today Brompton is thought of as a row of houses between Chatham Dockyard and Gillingham.

When the war with France recommenced in 1778, it was necessary to strengthen the dockyard defences. Fort Amherst was improved then work began in 1800 to add other forts in Chatham and in Rochester and a barracks was built to house the soldiers. All this work, and the expansion of the dockyard, meant that more homes were needed for the workers. The position of the Lines meant that this building could only happen beyond, and so New Brompton came into being. The population rose to 9,000 people by 1851. Gillingham Green was a small village; eventually it, too, was swallowed up, and the name of the whole settlement changed to Gillingham.

Officer’s houses were built within the confines of the Barracks and at Brompton where Mansion Row, Prospect Row and Garden Street now form a conservation area. New Brompton was name originally given to Gillingham station on the Chatham Main Line. New Brompton was the original name of Gillingham F.C.. Founded in 1893 it changed its name in 1913.

The Brompton Barracks is the home of the Royal Engineers and now houses the Royal Engineers Museum.

External links

* [http://www.stmarkschurchgillingham.co.uk/history.htm Church website, including history] (village and church)
* [http://www.remuseum.org.uk/ Royal Engineers Museum]
* [http://www.bromptonvillage.co.uk/ Community Website]