NOTTSGEN-L Archives

From: Ken Davey <>
Subject: Cilwell factory explosion.
Date: Fri, 07 May 1999 13:23:40 +1000

Chris Andrew
Sorry I inadmittantly deleted your e-mail. I came across this
information in a booklet I had from the Beeston Heritage Society,and had
forgotten all about it. (Old age!). There is more but does not throw any
light on the explosion. Here we go:

THE CHILWELL STORY:
When World War I came about, the country was not ready for war and
LLoyd George gave Lord Chetwynd (who was injured and unfit for service)
carte blanch to find a suitble site for a munitions factory. It had to
satisfy three criteria--it must have good transport access, a nearby
population, and must be surrounded by hills in the case of accident.
Chilwellfitted perfectly--there were local towns, fields between
Chilwell and Long Eaton, a railway in Attenborough and hills around.
Chetwynd commandeered the land and work commenced on site.

Lord Chetwynd moved on site and as there was no machinery specifically
for the work, he commandeered macinery from bakeries, flour mills, and
cosmetics firms which were used until specific machies were produced. A
railway line was put in and thousands of people recruited. Within 18
months ammunition was being produced at the National Shell Filling
Factory at an amazing rate.

Chilwell housed the biggest stores in Europe, and many of the floors
were,of neccessity, reinforced. Many women and girls were employed.
They had a uniform and were considered to be 'doing their bit.' Due to
the chemicals and fumes present, some girl's skin turned yellow and they
were nicknamed the 'Chilwell Canaries.'

Air raids from Zepplins were a concern and so precautions were
taken--policemen had whistles, lights were turned out and people had to
run out and shelter behind a hedge! There were at least two raids but
no serious damage was done.

On 1st July 1918 Chilwell was going through a heatwave--it was hot and
sunny,and inside the factory, work was continuing around the clock, as
it had been for weeks--12-hour shifts were usual. Shift had finished
and the night shift was just starting at 6pm and people were walking
home when there was a huge explosion which sounded like a bomb going
off. It is the worst disaster with explosives that this country has
ever seen. 134 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Many bodies
were not found, and a mass grave was dug at Attenborough Church.

Within one month of the disaster, the factory was back on line and
achieved its highest weeekly production. The explosion was in the
headlines and the tabloids demanded that the King recognise the factory.
it was duly accorded the V.C. medal and was known as the 'V.C. Factory.'

At the end of World War I the factory was to close and there was great
sadness.

In its time the National Shell Filling Factory had a band, a ladies tug
of war team, a ladies football team and a very sociable place to be. In
1919 the staff assembled onthe sports field for the closing ceremonies
and marked the end of an era.

(From a talk by Bill Shaw, President of the Society.)

Well, there it is Chris. Hope it is what you are looking for.

Ken Davey

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