The Governor of Gravesend and Tilbury Fort (or West Tilbury) was the military officer responsible for paired fortifications and blockhouses protecting the River Thames: on the south side of the river at Gravesend, Kent and on the north side at Tilbury Fort and West Tilbury, Essex. The fortifications here date from the time of Henry VIII; Tilbury Fort remained in military use until 1950, but the office of Governor was discontinued upon the death of Sir Lowry Cole in 1842.
Governors
in 1651: Col. Crompton
1662–1669: Sir John Griffith
1669–1681: Sir Francis Leke, 1st Baronet (died 1679) 1681–1684: Richard Tufton, 5th Earl of Thanet 1684–1689: Sackville Tufton 1690–1702: William Selwyn 1702–1725: George Cholmondeley, 2nd Earl of Cholmondeley 1725–1736: William Tatton 1736–1737: Sir Multon Lambard 1737–1742: James Tyrrell 1742–1747: Adam Williamson 1747–1752: John West, 1st Baron De La Warr 1752–1776: Charles Cadogan, 2nd Baron Cadogan 1776–1796: William Fawcett 1796–1812: Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet 1812–1818: Sir John Floyd, 1st Baronet 1818–1842: Sir Lowry Cole