Worker of the Week is a series of blog posts which highlights the workers at H.M. Factory Gretna that our volunteers researched for The Miracle Workers Project. This project aimed to centralise all of the 30,000 people who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna during World War One and, although it may be over, our amazing research volunteers are continuing to uncover more stories about H.M. Factory Gretna workers to be added to this database. We are always looking to learn more about H.M. Factory Gretna workers. If you know anything about a H.M. Factory Gretna worker please feel free to get in touch with us by contacting info@devilsporridge.org.uk This week’s Worker of the Week is William Haddon. A huge thank you to those who donated information about William and our research volunteers as always!
Early Life
William Haddon was born on the 5th May 1884 in Arbroath to John and Margret Haddon.
He appears to have one older sibling, Maggie Haddon. William’s sister was born in 1882 and sadly died when she was three years old. At this time William would have only have been two years old and he remained and the only child to John and Margret after this.
John worked as a Jute Mill Manager.
By the 1901 census the family are living in Angus.
Later the 1911 census shows them to be living in Dundee. John is still a Jute Mill Manager and William Haddon is a Bookkeeper in the Dye Works at Arbroach.
Marriage
On the 13th August 1911, William married Jessie Low Haddon. Both William and Jessie’s father’s worked as Jute Mill Managers. Perhaps they even already knew each other through their occupation.
Joining Up?
We know that William tried to join up as a dispatch rider in 1915. His application was refused. William had kyphosis or curvature of the spine. This condition can result in chronic back pain and respiratory problems and William had to get all his clothes custom made so that they fit him properly.
Despite this refusal, William was still keen to do his part for the war effort. He applied again to join the Black Watch, only to be rejected once more.
H.M. Factory Gretna
However, this did not stop William’s desire to do his bit for the war effort! On 10th November 1916 he became the assistant paymaster for H.M. Factory Gretna. His determination saw him rise through the ranks to become cashier to the whole factory!
Unfortunately, in 1921, William was informed that his services were no longer required. He received a letter stating that:
““I am directed by the Staff Board to inform you that in order to give effect to the Government Policy of employing Ex-Service men wherever possible, it has been decided that your services will not be required after December 2nd 1921.”
– Letter to William terminating his employment [1]
William fought his case, even highlighting that he was “entitled to consideration as being exempted from Military service on physical grounds” in a letter. [2]
Nevertheless, an ex-serviceman was appointed in his place. His family had to move from their home in Gretna.
After William’s determination to still do his part in the war effort by working at H.M. Factory Gretna, following two rejected attempts at joining up, this clearly seems more than unfair!
(It is important to note that the actual rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna stretched from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland. William and his family lived in one of the two townships built for all those that came to work at the factory, Gretna. According to the H.M. Factory Gretna Factory Manual many of the administration buildings for the factory site were also in Gretna. The other, equally as important, township was Eastriggs. Both were vital to the factory and those that worked there.)
Later Life
Fortunately, the injustice did not define him. William went to find prosperous employment as the director of Matthew Algie Tea Blenders in Glasgow.
On 10th March 1959 William died.
***
Sources and Further Reading
[1] Letter from Secretary of the Disposal Board to William Haddon informing him of the government policy of employing ex-servicemen, 1 November 1921; DPM.2022.4209
[2] Letter from William Haddon to the Security of Disposals & Liquidation Commission challenging his dismissal, 16 November 1921; DPM.2022.4208
[3] The Health of the Munition Worker By Emma Gilliland, Ellie Musgrave and Dr Laura Noakes, 2022. – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/product/the-health-of-the-munition-worker
Click here to find William Haddon’s online database entry>
Do you have a relative who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? We would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact us by emailing info@devilsporridge.org.uk. You never know maybe your relative feature in a future Worker of the Week blog post! You can also have a look at some more H.M. Factory Gretna workers on our online database here>
