Brian Joyce was born in Chatham. He holds degrees awarded by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Middlesex University. Brian is a retired teacher who researches and writes on all aspects of the history of the Medway Towns and has been a frequent speaker at meetings of local clubs and societies. Brian is the President of the Chatham Historical Society and has sat on various committees concerned with Medway's rich and varied history. He has his own collection of photographs, which he uses for his local books, also drawing on images from the collection of his co-author Sophie Miller. Sophie Miller is a graduate in Education. After leaving London for Kent, she's spent many years researching various aspects of the rich and diverse history of the county. She has a keen interest in the history of the county and can often be found at one of the many talks being given by Brian, who she has co-authored some local history books with.