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 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 A huge thanks to all our amazing volunteers as always. This week’s Worker of the Week, Stewart Clifford Phips worked as a clerk for H.M. Factory Gretna, who played the violin.
Early Life
- Stewart was born on 9th February 1880 in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
- Born Clifford Stewart Phipps, Stewart seems to have reversed his name. Possibly for professional reasons.
- His parents were Alexander James and Elizabeth (Betsie) Phipps.
- Alexander was a professor of music.
- It seems Stewart went to Brikenhead College of Music and Organ School.
Musical Career
- The 1911 census shows that Stewart was a violinist in Hartlepool.
- In 1913, he seems to have become the musical director at Clarence Picture House in Newport.
- In 1916 he appears to be the musical director at King’s Cinema in Perth.
Marriage?
- We have not found many details about Stewarts marriage so far, but it appears he was married to Catherine Chalenor Phipps.
- We do not know when or when they married yet.
H.M. Factory Gretna
- Stewart is on the Gretna Electoral Roll as a Clerk for the munitions factory.
- As a Clerk it is possible that Stewart would have worked the administration buildings in Gretna.
(It is important to note that the nine-mile rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna actually stretched from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland. It’s namesake Gretna, where Stewart would have been likely to work, and Eastriggs also played a vital part; being the two townships built to house as well as provide facilities to those who moved to the area to work at the factory.)
Performances at The Border Hall, Gretna
- There were many recreational activities that H.M. Factory Gretna workers could get involved with.
- This includes musical performances given in the Border Hall in Gretna. [1] [3]
- We know Stewart was involved in at least two of these performances.
Exterior of the Border Hall.
- Stewart was the Leader of the Orchestra and violinist in a performance of Cheerio Gretna in 1917. [1]
- This was preformed by members of the Women’s Police Force at H.M. Factory Gretna, including Constable Hermione Feildon, who also wrote the performance. [2]
The front of The Gondoliers programme.
- Similarly, Stewart appears to have been involved in at least one performance of The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society. [3]
- In a December 1918 performance of The Gondoliers, a “MR. S. C. PHIPPS” is listed in the programme as one of the “LEADERS OF THE ORCHESTRA.”[3]
- Based on this evidence and his history we think Mr S. C. Phipps is Stewart. What do you think?
- If so, Stewart would have worked alongside performers Egerton Sayer [4], Thomas Dippie [5] and instigating member of The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society (besides an actor and the stage manager for this performance of The Gondoliers) Alexander McKenzie Lupton.[6]
- We know that The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society held at least three prior performances.[3]
- Given Stewart’s musical credentials could he have also been involved in these? We don’t know for sure and have found no further evidence so far. What do you think?
Inside The Border Hall in Gretna where Alexander and Thomas would have preformed with The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society.
Later Life and Teaching
- By 1923 Stewart had become a violinist and the Futurist Cinema in Rhy.
- In 1939 he changed his job again to become a music teacher in Liverpool.
- Stewart Clifford Phipps died in 1977 in Liverpool.
Sources and Further Reading
[1] Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, 25th July 1917.
[3] Gretna Choral and Operatic Society, The Gondoliers programme, December 1918 from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s archive.
Find Stewart Clifford Phipps Online Database Entry by clicking here>
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>
