A LOCAL historian and researcher has called for a memorial to be created at St Peter and St Pauls Church, Grays, where he believes the bodies of 22 boys who died in a fire on board a training ship moored close by 150 years ago are buried.

Ahead of the anniversary of the tragedy of the Training Ship Goliath, which happened on 22 December 1875, Peter Valentine says he has discovered where the boys were buried and has produced the first record of all their names.

Mr Valentine says: "History books tell us they were buried in the new extension cemetery in Chadwell Road, Grays. How could that be as that cemetery did not open until 13 years after they had died?

"I believe they were probably buried in a mass unmarked grave in the extension of the churchyard at the back of St Peter and St Pauls Church at Grays.

"After long research I am now in possession of the Historical Dossier and Evidence Report and have found the names of the 22 boys who lost their lives.

"Their names were never mentioned at the time because they were classed as paupers. Most of the boys on board the Goliath came from London Workhouses. The boys' ages were between 12 and 15. Some lost their lives in the fire, others by drowning trying to escape the blaze.

"I have managed to find their names obtained from the December 1875 Coroner's Inquest Papers. This is probably the first time they have been made public since the burial of the boys."

Their names are:-

William Alchin

Thomas S Baldwin

James A Barrett

George S Brown

Charles W Cole

Robert H Crafter

William H Finch

Henry George

Thomas J Hoare

Arthur G Jones

Charles McCarthy

Robert McSweeney

William H Miller

George S Phipps

James R.S Potter

John W Powell

William J Ryan

George T Sapsford

Thomas J Sullivan

William H Taylor

Arthur J Ward

William J Wright

Mr Valentine hopes his research will prompt the church, Thurrock Council. Thurrock Local History Group or any other interested groups to arrange for a plaque to be placed in Grays Parish Church with all the boys' names displayed on it.

He also suggests a memorial stone or plaque be placed in Grays Parish Churchyard near to the mass unmarked grave of these boys recording the historic disaster and their names.

There is a memorial plaque in St Peter & St Paul's Church but it only shows the name of the boys' teacher who died a time after the incident. He was also buried in the churchyard close to the mass grave of the boys.

Mr Valentine says: "The boys from the Training Ship Cornwall's tragedy moored at Purfleet have a memorial and grave at St Clement's Church, West Thurrock. The same should now be provided at Grays Parish Church and churchyard for the boys of the Training Ship Goliath."

Also read: Tales of tragedy, tough times and teaching on the Thames