HM Cordite Factory Gretna – the human and social side

Last year Nigel Crompton spoke to us on the topic of 'The Fire Brigade Goes to War', and in the Q&A that followed, the topic of His Majesty's Cordite Factory, Gretna came up, so this month he returns to talk on the largely forgotten, though vital aspect of the Great War, the production of the explosives with which it was fought.

Built especially for producing large amounts of the much required propellent on the borders of Scotland and England, Gretna in the Great War saw a massive influx of firstly builders and then workers, a large percentage of whom were female. Not only was there a need for a factory but all the infrastructure to sustain cordite production.

Here Nigel offers a pictorial history of HM Cordite Factory Gretna, based around his MA dissertation (British First World War Studies) and research for a large number of articles and future publications.

Nigel has been speaking on local history and related subjects for almost thirty-five years. His interest in the Great War stems from the service of his grandfather and other family members together with ongoing involvement with the Fire Service, and has led him to write various articles, and give presentations on a wide variety of topics, often some way off the beaten track of WWI.

Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts.

Main image: Women factory workers and vats of 'The Devil's Porridge'