Ten plaques highlight individuals connected to the Marshlink route, which runs between Hastings and Ashford International.
Unveiled by the Marshlink Community Rail Partnership on July 1, the plaques commemorate the 118th anniversary of the opening of Three Oaks and Doleham stations, which first saw trains stop on July 1, 1907.
Kevin Boorman, chairman of the Marshlink Community Rail Partnership, said: “We wanted to acknowledge the contribution made by the community to their railways.
“We have unearthed some wonderful stories of people who have helped to develop railways not just locally but globally.
“It is great that the hidden histories and unsung heroes and heroines are now being revealed alongside some of the better-known people with links to the Marshlink line.”
The project was a collaborative effort involving researchers, historians, rail enthusiasts, archivists, and community representatives to identify suitable individuals for commemoration.
Among those recognised are Sarah Ashenden, who served as a level crossing gatekeeper at Rye station during the 1910s and 1920s.
George and George Austin, a father and son from Ore who worked as railway labourers in the 1850s, are also honoured.
The plaques also celebrate Maud Bassington, an artist and tracer at the South Eastern and Chatham Railway (SE&CR) Loco drawing office in Ashford during the early 20th century.
Other figures include Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, comedian Suzy Eddie Izzard, and pioneering Ashford engineer Verena Holmes, who became the first female member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 1944.
John Impett, a Southeastern Railway engineer from Ashford who built railways in Brazil and Peru, is also featured, as are sisters Lynda and Elsie King, who travelled from Rye to work as shorthand typists at the Ashford railway works in the 1920s.
The list further includes Victorian botanical artist Marianne North and actress Googie Withers, who fell in love at Lydd Town railway station while on a film set in 1947.
The research was coordinated by Danny Coope from Street of Blue Plaques.
A banner featuring the 10 plaques was unveiled at Three Oaks village hall following a talk by author Keith Swallow, whose book A Different Kind of Brotherhood: Guesting and Three Oaks, Then and Now explores the arrival of the railway and its influence on the area.
Mr Boorman said: “It is an important role of the community rail partnership to host talks and events of this kind to acknowledge how railways affected communities.
“We were delighted to arrange and organise this fascinating and detailed look at the development of the small but important Three Oaks and Doleham stations.”
The blue plaques are part of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership’s Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825.
SCRP plans to unveil 200 plaques this year—100 honouring historical figures in rail and 100 highlighting contemporary roles, to inspire future careers in the industry.
Further details about the Marshlink plaques and the Railway 200 project can be found at southeastcrp.org/railway-200/blue-plaques.
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