TODAY'S announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth will evoke memories across the world of a woman who transcended religion, politics and nations' boundaries.

In Thurrock her Platinum Jubilee year was celebrated by a host of events and communites came together to celebrate her service to the country.

No doubt hundreds, if not thousands, of stories were told by people whose life she touched.

Queen Elizabeth made three significant visits to the borough and during one she left her name on a landmark that dominates the west of Thurrock.

In 1988 the bridge at the Dartford Crossing was begun.

It cost £120,000,000 to complete and at the time was the largest single span bridge in Europe measuring 2,872 metres in length.

The Queen opens the new bridge over the Thames,

It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth on Wednesday, 30 October 1991.

Despite complaints, especially from Thurrock residents who wanted a Thurrock name, it was called the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

On the evening of Saturday 31st January 1953 Tilbury, Canvey Island and the east coast of England suffered severe flooding resulting in loss of life and much damage to property. 

A look out at Coalhouse Fort located in a wooden hut on top of the search light emplacement noted that every minute after midnight the flooding became worse. The look-out kept his lamp beam on the water below the station because if the wall beneath gave way the station would collapse. He also noted seeing the bodies of two horses floating in the water. The water level was six feet above the normal spring tide level.

The rising water level left the look-out marooned. The incoming water entered Tilbury town from the east from Bill Meroy's Creek but this was not the only source of water as it was coming into the town from the Docks too. 

The Queen came to visit Purfleet and Tilbury on Friday, 13 February 1953 to see the extent of the damage first hand.

She visited some of the houses which had been flooded and the Rest Centre at Lansdowne Road School, Tilbury. She was accompanied by Sir Francis and Lady Whitmore and presented to the Matron of Tilbury hospital, Miss Ross, the secretary of the hospital, and the Superintendent of St John Nursing Division, Grays. Her Majesty was taken to the nursery room where mothers and small children were waiting to greet her.

The Queen also visited Grays and the Thameside Theatre - a visit recalled in this link by another renowned local historian, Mike Ostler: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/when-the-queen-came-to-tea-ponies-flew-and-mike-got-his-old-suit-out-50-years-of-golden-memories-at-the-thameside-theatre.

Love for the Queen also spanned generations. Only a few days ago Thurrock Nub News told the story of how she captured the heart of a five-year-old Thurrock girl who was thrilled to get a response from Buckingham Palace after writing a letter congratulating her Majesty on her Jubilee.