The Chilwell Munitions Factory Explosion

The Chilwell Munitions Factory Explosion 1918

Chris Green (The History Chap) brings this World War 1 tragedy to life.

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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
1:50 The Shell Scandal 1915
3:30 Viscount Chetwynd
3:46 Chilwell Munitions Factory
4:40 Canary Girls
7:46 The Chilwell Munitions Factory Explosion
12:05 The Edward Medal
13:30 Chilwell Munitions Factory Explosion Memorial
14:30 Cause of the Chilwell Munitions Factory explosion
15:34 Conclusion

The opening months of the First World War had shown the deficiencies in Britain’s ability to conduct a war in an industrial age, in particular the inability to produce enough artillery shells.

The ensuing Shell Scandal in 1915 forced the government into action.

David Lloyd George was made Minister of Munitions and his solution was to set up a series of national factories, manufacturing munitions on a massive scale.

He turned to men of industry to help him.
One such man was Viscoiunt Godfrey Chetwynd.

Chetwynd built National Shell Filling Factory no. 6 at Chilwell, just to the west of Nottingham.
A huge 194 acre industrial complex producing thousands upon thousands of high quality shells packed with TNT.
The Chilwell munitions factory produced 19 million shells - over half of all the shells fired by the British on the Western Front.

By the time of the Chilwell Factory Explosion 1st July 1918 - 4,000 women and 6,000 men were employed at the factory.

The women earned the nickname of the “ Chilwell Canaries” - because the TNT that they were working with turned their skin yellow.

With all that TNT about, there was always the danger of an explosion.
There had already been explosions at similar munition factories in Faversham, Ashton-Under-Lyne, and Silvertown in east London.

At 7:10pm on the 1st July 1918 a huge explosion ripped through the Chilwell Munitions Factory.

134 workers were killed and 250 injured.
The force of the explosion resulted in only 32 of the bodies being recognised.

Unbelievably, the factory swung back into action and within just two months had set a record of filling 275,000 shells in a single week.

For propaganda and morale purposes the explosion was covered up and it was only after the War that the full facts were made public and a monument erected at the site.

After the First World War, the factory was closed down and became an ordnance depot for the army (Chilwell depot). Later it became the Chetwynd army barracks, which is still there today.

This talk is dedicated to the 134 workers who died in the Chilwell Munitions Factory explosion, 1st July 1918.

FAQ
When was the Chilwell Munitions Factory explosion?
1918, during the last year of World War 1.

How many people died in the Chilwell Munitions Factory Explosion?
134. It was the biggest single loss of civilian lives in Britain during WW1.
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is  the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied. 

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

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