This row of cottages in nearby Bexley village has a name plate (seen in the centre above) with the details "Styleman's Almshouses" and the date of 1755.
They were built with funds from John Styleman, a director of the East India Company, who lived at nearby Danson (now Bexleyheath). Alms Houses were/are charitable housing provided to people in a particular community. They were sometimes associated with particular industries, or may have generally served the less privileged in the local community.
The 12 cottages here still serve as almshouses but were modernised in 1961 & 1985 and are now managed by a Housing Association.
My sincere thanks for all your comments etc over the past few days. All are very much appreciated.
Ian