Why is Medway so careless of its industrial past? Messenger columnist and historian Peter Cook posed the question after writing a series of articles about the Short Brothers aircraft pioneers.

Peter's research has led to him spending time in Rochester where he has struggled to find any evidence that the company existed.

"Britain’s first aircraft manufacturers ran a huge complex along the Esplanade at Rochester, building iconic seaplanes that pioneered international air travel. At Rochester Airport they built the first four-engine bomber – and were themselves bombed," he said.

"It was a huge company that employed thousands of Medway people, and pioneered international air travel. Yet driving along the Esplanade the other day I could find nothing to indicate that this amazing company ever existed, other than a few street names and the remains of the old launch ramp. If you search hard you might find a tiny, circular commemoration plaque.

"Otherwise it’s just houses and flats boringly aligned along the banks where beautiful flying boats with names like Sunderland and Sandringham once took shape. Had the residents of those homes looked across the river during and before the Second World War, they would have seen these majestic aircraft roar into life, throwing up clouds of spray as they lifted off from the river.

"Why is there nothing to show that Britain’s aviation pioneers ever existed here?"

Peter is among those who believes it's time for a proper commemoration, maybe a stainless steel replica of a Shorts seaplane on the Esplanade, setting up a trust to raise the money and commissioning an artist to create the work.

He also points out that across the river is the site of Aveling and Porter, an equally massive, pioneering, engineering firm.

"There is nothing to suggest that ever existed either," he said. "But go to any country fair and you will still see plenty of steam traction engines bearing the rampant Invicta that was the Aveling and Porter badge.

"The council even knocked down the firm’s office building, one of the few attractive buildings in Strood. Surely there should be something on the river bank there to commemorate this historic firm. It’s time something was done."

Do you agree with Peter? What should be done to honour Medway's industrial heritage? Leave your comments below.