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 the factory 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 thank you goes to our reasearch volunteers and everyone who has helped to make this series possible.
This week’s Worker of the Week, is John Harkness who was the town manager for H.M. Factory Gretna.
Early Life
- Although, we don’t know the exact date John was born in 1879.
- His parents were John Harkness (his father had the same name) and Grace McKie Harkness.
- We also know that the older John worker as a farmer.
- It seems likely that young John was born in Dumfriesshire and there’s a possibility he could have lived at Rae Street in Dumfries as suggested by his probate record. [8]
Married Life
- Next, we know John married Margaret Gilmour Ferguson on 20th September 1905.
- They married at Parish Church Kilmun.
- Following this, John and Margaret lived at Park Terrace, Edinburgh.
- Interestingly, this was also John’s address prior to his marriage.
- This was their address when their first child was born in 1906. We know they later had three more children together. [1] [8]
- Meanwhile, John’s career seems to be an interesting mix of roles and responsibilities.
- According to a local newspaper article, in 1910 he began his association “with the valuation department.”[1]
- However, prior to this:
“he was an assistant engineer in the office of Public Works, Glasgow, and was for some time assistant assessor of railways and canals for Scotland.”
– The Dundee Evening Standard Newspaper, August 1923. [1]
- Admittedly, we’re perhaps most interested in his work during World War One…
Time at H.M. Factory Gretna
“During the war he [John Harkness] was town manager at H.M. Factory Gretna.”
– The Dundee Evening Standard Newspaper, August 1923. [1]
- We don’t know exactly when he took on this role as Town Manager, but we do know his predecessor was another John, John Malcom Aitken.
- As described in The Scotsman newspaper John Malcom Aitken was:
“entrusted… with the task of acquiring land for the Gretna Munitions Factory and when he had completed this he was commissioned to also design the lay-out of the factory. He acted also for a time as town manager, but was forced to relinquish this position on account of ill health, being succeeded by the late Mr John Harkness.”
– The Scotsman, 11th October 1935. [2]
- Interestingly, this article claims that Mr Aitken “was retained as horary consulting manager” “for some years” and even organised “the arrangements for the visit of the King and Queen to the Gretna factory.” [2]
- Therefore, it seems likely that John Harkness, would have worked with his predecessor at and was in position by the time of King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to the factory on 18th May 1917.
(Although, referred to as “the Gretna factory” in these newspaper articles, we should probably highlight that the rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna actually stretched from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in England. Importantly, the two townships of Eastriggs and Gretna were built to house and facilitate all those who worked at the factory.)
- Initially, we thought that John and Margaret both lived at Thornhill during his time as town manager.
- However, we have since found both of them on them in the Gretna electoral role for 1918 to 1919 living at Surrone, Annan Road.
What did the Town Manager Do?
- So what exactly would John Harkness have done as the township manager for H.M. Factory Gretna?
- We’ve found newspaper records which suggest the town manager would have been involved in the recruitment of teacher’s and the letting of local township shops.
- In fact a recruiting advert for “Eastriggs School, H.M. Factory Gretna” in September 1918 gives details “to apply with one copy of testimonials to the Clerk, Managers of Schools, Town Manager’s Dept. H.M. Factory Gretna.” [3]
- It seems that Mr Harkness could have been in charge of a whole department according to this job advert.
Plan for one of the local schools, where the town manager would have overseen staffing.
- Prior to this, another record from the British Newspaper archive from June 1917, regarding shops to let has similar instructions.
- Namely, that “these shops are to be Let by Public Tender and applications should be made to the Town Manager, Central Officers, Gretna, Dumfriesshires from whom particulars can be obtained.” [4]
- However, that’s not all the John would have been involved in as a factory manager!
- It seems he was also involved in the suppling of provisions and even expected to attend local events.
- In 1918, he was invited as an honorary guest at the Annan Fête, which was raising money for the Scottish Red Cross, according the the Dumfries and Galloway Standard. [5]
Illustrations of “Reminiscences of the Red Cross Fete” from The Dornock Farewell Magazine. Could these be based on the same fete that John Harkness attended?
- John Harkness, even got involved in a military tribunal. [6]
- Seemingly, Annan solicitor Mr Robert F Browne was accused of avoiding national service.
- Mr Browne claimed that this was due to the importance of his “work in his department in secretarial work in connection with committees for the management of the factory schools and in connection with the local government.”[6]
- We know that John worked with these schools, so it seems likely that he could have known and worked with Robert and perhaps this explains his involvement, as John Harkness created a letter in support of the accused.
- Ultimately, Robert’s appeal was refused. [6]
Life After the Factory
- After his time as town manager, John and family moved to Ayr. [1]
- Later records suggest that John lived in “2 Barnes Terrace there [in Ayr], thereafter of 5 Drumlanrig Street Thornhill, late of 19 Park Circus, Ayr.” [8]
- Following his work at the factory, it seems:
“Mr John Harkness, F.S.I district valuer under the Inland Revenue for the Ayr district, covering the countries of Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcubright and Wigtown.”
– The Dundee Evening Telegraph Newspaper. [1]
- By 1923, it seemed that John Harkness “had recently resigned his appointment and was about to begin practice as a charted surveyor and valuer in Ayr and Glasgow.” [1]
- Sadly, John never had the opportunity to do so.
- On the 22nd August 1923,
“He was taken ill while dressing and expired with a few minutes. He had not previously been complaining.”
-The Dundee Evening Telegraph Newspaper. [1]
- John was 45 years old when he died.
Sources and Further Information
- Death of Scottish Inland Revenue Official, The Dundee Evening Telegraph Newspaper, Thursday 23rd August 1923.
- Designed Lay-Out of Gretna Munitions Factory, The Scotsman Newspaper, October 1935.
- Eastriggs Township School, Southern Reporter Newspaper, July 1918.
- Southern Reporter Newspaper, June 1917.
- Annan Fete, Dumfries and Galloway Standard Newspaper, 26th June 1918.
- Dumfries and Galloway Standard Newspaper, Wednesday 9th October 1918
- John Harkness, Probate from Scotland National Probate Index.
Find John Harkness’ 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 could 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>
