Women working in Northfleet Dockyard and a Dartford hospital where wounded Australian soldiers were treated were just two of the suggestions to be included in new heritage trails.

The 100 Miles for 100 Years project is creating heritage trails throughout Kent to mark the centenary of the First World War, and Gravesend and Dartford are next on the list.

Historians, residents’ groups, walkers, churchgoers and councillors were among those who attended two meetings, at Gravesham Civic Centre and Oakfield Park Pavilion, off Carsington Gardens, Wilmington, to tell organisers about the sites and stories that defined their towns and villages a century ago.

In the Gravesham area, people talked about a pontoon built across the River Thames between Gravesend and Tilbury in 1914, as a means of transporting troops quickly between Kent and Essex and also to provide a barrier against enemy fleets coming up the Thames.

Women workers helping with the construction of ships at Stewart Concrete Ship Co in Northfleet Dockyard were also mentioned along with a collection by residents to buy cigarettes for wounded soldiers staying in Gravesend Hospital.

In the Dartford borough people recalled Dartford Australian Hospital at The Orchard and The Long Reach Tavern on the riverbank being used as a canteen and sleeping quarters for the Army’s Royal Flying Corps.

Organisers are looking for even more memories, facts and photos to help them plan the trails, which will guide people around the most historically significant spots in the two towns.

Darrienne Price, one of those organising the project, which is being paid for by the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “When people walk the trails we want them to be able to envision someone walking down the road 100 years ago so we really need some local family stories and memories to bring the trails to life.

“We have records of soldiers and Victoria Crosses and we’re trying to research soldiers who survived the war. We want to find out about businesses and events of the time and we’ll be investigating buildings such as post offices and cinemas.

“There was a nice turnout at the meetings and people were really generous with their time and knowledge.”

The 100 Miles for 100 Years project’s next ‘share and discover’ events take place at Gravesend Borough Market, off the High Street, 11.30am-2.30pm on Tuesday, April 4 and at Trevithick’s Industrial Dartford steam rally at Central Park, Dartford, 10am-5pm on Saturday, May 6. See the website for more.