Silvertown Explosion - civilian casualties

[Arranroots]

Hello All

A friend would like to know more about the Silvertown Explosion in which several of her relatives were injured and one killed.

The incident, on 19th Jan 1917 killed 73 people in total and devastated a large area near Crescents Wharf where the factory of Brunner Mond was located.

She has had some success looking on the internet, but would like to know whether more information is available about civilian casualties?

Apparently there is a book called The Silvertown Explosion and the Stratford Express is believed to have reported some names.

Would anyone have access to the book or any articles about the explosion that might name the civilians, please?  The family name we are after is GARDENER. 

Many thanks for any help

kind regards, Arranroots 

[casalguidi]

Just wondering if your friend has tried the Newham local history bulletin board frequented by local residents past and present?  I have seen a number of posts about the Silvertown Explosion http://www.newham.gov.uk/content/Environment/local_history.jsp

Casalguidi

[Arranroots]

Thanks for that - I have passed the information on.

If anyone else has ideas, please feel free to add them!

 

[Douglas P]

These are a few links I found from Google:

http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/UEL/NE071.htm

http://www.psbooks.co.uk/BookDetails.asp?Code=33513&pg=British+Isles&ur=BritishIsles%5FRec%2Easp?pgn=8%23Nav33513

http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConNarrative.60/Londons-biggest-explosion.html

http://www.lalamy.demon.co.uk/sivex.htm

Douglas.

[2shea]

With regard to the Silvertown explosion, the sites referred to a good but I have a connection with that in that my Gt Aunt lived at the Tate Institute down the road from the factory. I have a newspaper cutting from 1977 in which her daughter recalled the events of the day.
I am happy to scan a copy if you want. There are none of your names mentioned but the story may be of interest .

2shea

[Arranroots]

Douglas,

thanks for the links.  I will pass them on in case my friend hasn't seen them.  Did you find any GARDENERs? (She says hopefully!)

2Shea,

I will pass on your message also - that is exactly the sort of thing she is looking for, thank you.  Will get her to pass on her e-mail idc.  Do you know whether any of the booklets on the subject are still available? (as opposed to the book).

Many thanks again

Arranroots 

[Kimi]

Arranroots, try this link also:

http://www.hidden-histories.org/projects/silv/silv_learning_resources/history.html#explosion

 

[Arranroots]

Thanks Kimi 

It seems that we learned nothing from this tragedy - recent years have seen all too many industrial incidents in areas that are densely populated.

There are presumably still people struggling to come to terms with the one only months ago in England.

A 

[Kimi]

I remember that there were a couple more explsoions in Silvertown in the 70's.  One was a Paint facory and the other was a Lard factory.  Not sure of the detail though, I was very young at the time.

Kimi