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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: SooCatt on Thursday 20 August 09 09:38 BST (UK)
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Hello
I wonder if anyone knows of any records of deaths that occurred at the White Lund Munitions factory during WW1.
My Mum is a member of a local history group in County Durham and they are researching the people from the town who were killed in WW1. One of those people was an Annie Bell and she was killed in a munitions factory. They had assumed it was the munitions factory at Birtley but they have unnearthed something (not sure what) to say that she was actually working in Morecambe.
Mum has asked me if I can help find out if that is the case. I have looked for a death record for the WW1 period in Lancaster and there doesn't seem to be one that would fit. So I wondered if there might be a memorial to the factory workers.
Thanks for reading this I'll be glad of any advice on how to track Annie down
Susan
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I believe the accident happened on 1st October 1917 and 10 people were killed.
Free BMD has this death indexed
Dec Qtr 1917
Fanny Bell Age 42 Lancaster 8e 737
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The second post on this thread might be usefull
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13414
Apparently women casualties amongst the munition workers are recorded on the panels in York Minster
Regards
Simon
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Here is an account of the actual explosion
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=-EVdYq7oK_kC&pg=RA3-PA2329&lpg=RA3-PA2329&dq=morecambe+munitions+factory+explosion&source=bl&ots=P65V3p10Nz&sig=NZURLzJUs2BEnog9nkG6wbykadI&hl=en&ei=siyNSq30JqXajQeO0KH8DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=morecambe%20munitions%20factory%20explosion&f=false
Regards
Simon
Another account
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/nostalgia/White-Lund-Explosion.3235084.jp
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Thanks for that all of you. At least I now can narrow down the search for her death - if indeed she was there.
I'll try the York Minster route too.
Why do you suppose someone from Birtley in Durham would be working at a factory in Morecambe? Any ideas?
Thanks again
Susan
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Hi Susan
Reading accounts of the explosion, it appears that woman from all over the country worked at the munitions factory, over 8,000 people worked there, mostly women
Regards
Simon
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Thanks Duck for this and your PMs. The death entry for a Fanny Bell could be her. I think tracking down a memorial or list of casualties is needed. I might try the gent on the Great War Forum though I notice that the post about the memorials in York Minster was posted in 2002.
Worth a shot though
Thanks again
Susan
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Hi Susan
I have emailed Lancaster City Museum as I believe they have information on the explosion. I think the lack of info was due to the fact that it was hushed up at the time, they didn't want the Germans using it as propaganda.
Simon
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Gosh Simon that's really nice of you. :D
I look forward to hearing what they have to offer.
You're a star!
Susan
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Hi Susan
I recieved an email yesterday from Lancaster City Museum, informing me that all enquiries will be dealt with in 4 - 6 weeks, so I'm afraid we'll have to wait
I also went to the museum on Wednesday and had a look
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Thanks ever so much Simon.
The board makes for a very interesting read.
Have also sent PM
Susan :)
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Hi Susan
The museum in Lancaster have finally replied to my email
The 10 deaths at the munitions factory were all male
If you would like to PM your email address, I will forward the information
Kind regards
Simon
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Thanks for all your help Simon.
PM sent
Susan
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Item on BBC Lancashire website about the White Lund explosion:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/09ee/
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Dear Susan,
I'm researching women workers at the munitions factories in Lancaster and Morecambe. I wondered if your mum found out anymore about Annie Bell? I think she died of TNT poisoning in April/May, 1917, aged 18. There's a coroner's inquest on Annie Bell at Lancashire Archives, that I plan to go and see soon. Happy to pass on the information if its of any use. Likewise, anything your mum can tell me about Annie would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Busylady
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https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/7667902
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Many thanks for the link. I also found this link to the work done at Durham, and I guess by Susan's Mum.
http://www.durhamatwar.org.uk/story/11223/
She was only there a few months before she took ill. So tragic.
Thanks for the help,
Busylady
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Here are some (modern) reports in the local paper, the Lancaster Guardian:
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/white-lund-explosion-1-1170802
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/remembering-the-brave-workers-who-saved-lives-1-1171107
http://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/news/bombs-away-1-1174650
Some of the last remaining buildings look set to be demolished: https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northwest/munitions-factory-demolition-to-kick-start-site-revamp?utm_source=northwest_newsletter&utm_campaign=northwest_news_tracker&utm_medium=property_article