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Agnes Renton in her munitions workers uniform sat on a table. This is a black and white photo from the past.

Worker of the Week: Agnes Renton

By Collections blog

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 thanks to our research volunteers.

This week’s Worker of the Week, is Agnes Renton, who we think might have been one of the longest living H.M. Factory Gretna workers that we have come across so far! All this information was kindly shared with us by her relatives, who also kindly popped in to visit us.

Early Life

  •  Agnes was born on 4th October 1895.
  • Her friends and family knew her as Aggie.
  • Her parents were John McPhail and Alice McPhail (nee Telford).
  • John worked as an Iron Moulder.

 

Agnes Renton in her munitions workers uniform sat on a table. This is a black and white photo from the past.

 

  • Her family have shared a photo of Agnes in her munitions workers uniform with us, but that’s not the only insight into Agnes apperance that they’ve given us.
  • She had bright read hair and they also shared that:

“She was very petite 4ft 10 if I remember.
Her grandchildren named her “Tiny Nana” but she was a strong lady in character.”

  • Prior to working at the factory, she had lived on the Cannongate in Edinburgh.

Time at H.M. Factory Gretna

  • When she was 22 years old Aggie working at H.M. Factory Gretna.

(Contrary to what the name of the factory suggests the factory site actually stretched all the way from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in England. The townships Gretna and Eastriggs were also vital to the factory. They were built to serve and facilitate those that worked there.)

  • From what her family have kindly shared with us she was a munitions worker and used to work at the nitrating pans.
  • This is were nitroglycerine was mixed with gun cotton in a paste, which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle once described as “devil’s porridge.”

Two munitions workers mixing the cordite in large nitrating pans.

  • Interestingly, the mixture Aggie worked with stained her hands yellow, but it washed off eventually.

 

  • She didn’t mind talking about her time working at the factory with her family.
  • Something else that she told her family about was an explosion which happened in one of the nearby huts while she worked at the factory and the women who delt with it receiving a medal.

 

  • Sadly, we know George Henry Pike (3), Roberta Robertson (4) and Martha Hannah Beech (5) died as result of separate explosions at the factory.

 

  • However, we are also aware of tremendous acts of bravery during incidents at the factory.
  • The first that springs to mind is Maud Bruce (1), during a fire at the factory she calmly stopped the blaze from spreading further.
  • As result of her bravery, she went on to be awarded an OBE. (1)
  • Could Maud be the munitions worker Agnes remembered receiving a medal after dealing with an explosion?

 

  • Another medal winner is Nora Morphet, who alongside two other munitions workers from the factory was awarded a British Empire Medal. (2)
  • The reason for their receipt of this medal is only given as “for courage and high example in continuously working long hours in poisonous atmosphere which habitually affected her health” in the the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer of Thursday 2nd May 1918. (2)
  • Although, we have found no further information as to why these three munitions workers were chosen above all others for this honor. Could it be that they also helped during an explosion at the factory? If so why wouldn’t their brave actions have been reported in the newspaper in more detail? Or have we just not come across it yet? What do you think?

Married Life

  • Following World War One, Agnes married Alexander Renton.
  • Alexander had been in the Battle of the Some and had been shot in the head at Ypres, but survived!
  • After this, Alexander returned to working as a famer. This was his occupation when he married Aggie.
  • Later, Alexander went on to become a railway porter.

 

  • During World War Two, Aggie worked in the North British Hotel in Edinburgh.
  • Wealthy and important people stayed at this hotel, but Aggie wasn’t otherwise involved in War work.

Further Travels

  • That’s far from all that Agnes did though!
  • She travelled widely.
  • We know she went to Canada, America and Australia to visit relatives.
  • As well as that she went on several cruises, “the last when she was 80 years old” according to the information her relatives have kindly shared.

 

  • During one of these cruises, she was involved in a cruise line version of “What’s My Line?” (6)
  • This is a game show were a panel were challenged to guess the job Agnes did.
  • Can you guess what? Aggie won!
  • No one could work out Aggie’s clues of her stirring the devil’s porridge.
  • Although, “What’s my Line? was a TV game show (6), Aggie only appeared in the cruise ship version, but we don’t think she needs to be on TV to be a star. (One core thing our museum focuses on is H.M. Factory Gretna and the people who worked there, so maybe we’re slightly biased on that point… but she still sounds like a star to us! )

 

  • Not only that, but in 1995 Agnes celebrated her 100th Birthday!
  • Off the top of our head, we’re only aware of one other munitions worker in connection to H.M. Factory Gretna who did that.
  • Maud Bruce lived until 100 years old, after her time working at the factory and later at Aycliffe in World War Two. (1)

 

  • Meanwhile, Agnes Renton lived until she was 102 years old.
  • Could she be the longest living person who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? Quite possibly.
  • What do you think? Is there anything you’ve spotted we’ve missed?
  • Ultimately, we don’t have a comprehensive list of all those who worked at the factory. This means there’s some things we might never know for sure, but that makes us all the more grateful for relatives like Agnes’ who kindly share information with us and for their patience in the meantime.

Sources and Further Information

A huge thank you must go to Aggie’s relatives for kindly taking the time to share this information and photograph with us! Most of the information in this blog comes from them.

  1. The Marvelous Maud Bruce: From Gretna Girl to Aycliffe Angel – www.devilsporridge.org.uk/the-marvelous-miss-maud-from-gretna-girl-to-aycliffe-angel
  2. Worker of the Week: Nora Morphet – www.devilsporridge.org.uk/noramorphet
  3. Worker of the Week: George Henry Pike – www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-george-henry-pike
  4. Worker of the Week: Roberta Robertson – www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-roberta-robertson
  5. Worker of the Week: Martha Hannah Beech – www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-martha-hannah-beech
  6. What’s My Line? History of the BBC website – www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/july/whats-my-line

Find Agnes Renton’s 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>

Some cotton blouses folded up on a wooden chair. This chair dates from World War One. There is a dark green curtain in the background.

Worker of the Week: Margaret Alice Laidlaw

By Collections blog

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  

This week’s Worker of the Week, Margaret Alice Laidlaw was accused of stealing a pillow (and a few more things). Find the full story below and thanks to our research volunteers for their help!

Early Life

  • Firstly, on 29th December 1899, Alice was born in Spittal, Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland.
  • Her parents were Robert and Isabella Mosely Laidlaw (nee Wood).
  • Robert worked as a fisherman.

 

  • By the 1901 census record the family were living on Princes Street in Spittal.
  • However, by the 1911 census they have moved to 2 Sandstell Road, Spittal.
  • This also shows us that Margaret has 10 siblings.
  • Meanwhile, her father is still working as a fisherman.

Time at H.M. Factory Gretna

  • Next, we know she worked as a munitions worker at H.M. Factory Gretna.
  • We don’t know exactly when Margaret started working at the factory, but we do know that she must have worked there from early 1917.
  • How do we know this? Well, Margret was accused of theft!
  • In fact, 18 year old Margaret…

“was charged with stealing two cotton blouses, the property of Madge Thomson, a fellow-worker; a cotton pillow belonging to the Ministry of Munitions; and a gold ring, the property of Jeanie Simpson.”

– The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, 1917. (1)

  • Do you think Margaret was planning on making a scarecrow? (Of course, that’s just a complete guess. We haven’t found a time machine to check yet, but if you do know more about any H.M. Factory Gretna workers like Margaret please feel free to get in touch!)
  • Anyway, at the time Margaret…

“pleaded not guilty, and was remanded until to-day, bail being fixed at £2.”

– The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, 1917. (1)

  • According to Bank of England’s Inflation Calculator £2 in 1917 would be approximately £123.42 in May 2026. (2)

 

  • Around this time, Margaret’s address is listed in the Gretna electoral roll as “2 F East.”

Marriage and Later Life

  • After this, we know that Margaret returned to Berwick on Tweed.
  • This is because, she got married there!
  • In 1920, Margaret married Alexander Johnstone.
  • The following year they were still living in the area.
  • They had six children together.

 

  • In 1939, the family were living at 6 Farne Avenue, Berwick on Tweed.
  • Also Alexander worked as a colliery.

 

  • Lastly, Margaret died in 1956.

Sources and Further Information

  1. “Charge Against Munition Worker,” The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Saturday 3rd February 1917
  2. The Bank of England’s Inflation Calculator – www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator

 

Find Margaret Alice Laidlaw’s 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>

A postcard of Botchergate in Carlisle. There are some tall buildings with people stood on the road between them and some tram lines. This is a black and white photo. Underneath this is a handwritten note which reads "how do you like this view? One you collecting?"

Worker of the Week: William Boustead

By Collections blog

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  

This week’s Worker of the Week, is William Boustead, who seems to have spent most his life living in Carlisle. Thanks to all who help to make this possible blog possible!

Early Life

  • Firstly, William was born in 1879, in Carlisle.
  • His parents were William and Elizabaeth Jane Boustead (nee Gibson).
  • Additionally, we know William was the second eldest of seven siblings.

 

  • By the 1881 census the family have moved to live at 15 Barrack Street, Carlisle.
  • The census gives William’s father, who was also William, occupation as a railway signalman.

 

A postcard of Botchergate in Carlisle. There are some tall buildings with people stood on the road between them and some tram lines. This is a black and white photo. Underneath this is a handwritten note which reads "how do you like this view? One you collecting?"

Botchergate in Carlisle from a postcard in our archive. Do you think it might have looked like this when William lived there?

 

  • After this, the 1891 census gives the family address as 39 Close Street, Botchergate in Carlisle.
  • Meanwhile, the older William, was still working as a railway signalman.

 

  • The next census shows that the younger William had moved away from Carlisle.
  • In 1901 he was boarding at 14 John Street, Gateshead.

Marriage

  • However, this move doesn’t appear to have lasted long!
  • We know that William returned to Carlisle by December 1904.
  • This is because, he married Hannah Fisher there on Boxing Day in 1904.
  • William’s occupation is described as a clog maker.

 

  • Following his marriage, the 1911 census shows that Hannah and William continued to live in Carlisle.
  • They were living in in 82 Harrison Street, Carlisle.
  • William worked as a boot repairer.
  • Also shown on the census record, William and Hannah had four children, but sadly only two survived.
Entrance to English Street Carlisle. A road with historic brick buildings on either side of a road. There is a bus and a van driving on the road. Some pedestrians are walking on the left pavement. This is a black and white photo from the past.

Do you think William would recognize Carlisle from this photo?

 

H.M. Factory Gretna and Life Beyond

  • Next it seems the William worked at H.M. Factory Gretna.

(It’s important to note that the rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna actually stretched from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in England, unlike what the name given to it by the government at the time suggests. The two townships of Eastriggs and Gretna were built to house and facilitate those that came to the area to work at the factory. Both townships were also vital to the factory and those who worked there.)

  • Currently, we do not know exactly what William did at the factory.
  • We do think it’s likely that he was still living at his Harrison Street address while working there though.

 

  • The reason why we know William worked at the factory is because,  he is described as an ex or retired H.M. Factory Gretna Worker in the 1921 census.
  • Perhaps unsurprisingly, William, Hannah and family were still living in Carlisle.

 

  • Lastly, William died in 1932, in Carlisle.

 

A colourised postcard featuring three photos of Carlisle in years gone by. One is of a statue in front of part of a castle, the second is of castle and the third is of a street.

A 19th century colourised postcard of Carlisle. Do you think William would be able to recognize the places in this postcard?

Sources and Further Reading

 

Read William Boustead’s 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>

A dog peering around a garden wall.

Dog Friendly Days

By News

Following our Dog Friendly Trial Week we have an announcement to make…

Back at the end of June to the start of July we hosted a Dog Friendly Trial Week. A huge thank you to everyone who visited us as part of this. Over the course of the week we were delighted to be visited by eleven well behaved dogs (and their humans)!

As the week went so well, we will be having a couple of Dog Friendly Days at The Devil’s Porridge Museum every week!

Dog Friendly Days

On Thursdays and Sundays, well-behaved, dry, dogs on leads will be welcome into our museum with their humans!

Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Café, but you continue to be welcome to sit outside our Café with a pet dog, or even in our Anderson shelter.

Guide and assistances dogs will continue to be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum and our Cafe every day.

If you’d rather visit us at a time when there is less likely to be dogs in our museum we ask that you please avoid Thursdays and Sundays, or if you’re planning to visit us with a dog we’d ask that you please come on a Thursday or a Sunday.

You’d be welcome to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns about this prior to your visit. You can email us on info@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021.

Visiting With a Dog? Here’s What to Do…

To help everyone enjoys their visit and look after our museum we do ask that you keep your dog on a lead at all times, keep all paws on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on artifacts, people, or furniture please!) and if your dog makes a mess you clean it up. Please be mindful of other visitors and respect our museum artifacts. If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will politely be asked to leave or have a break from your visit.

Many of our museum’s team our dog-lovers and understand that our furry friends may need a break from time to time. Therefore, we would like to remind you that you are allowed in and out of The Devil’s Porridge Museum as many times as you would like on the day you have paid to visit us.

Things to be Aware of…

  • Our dog friendly days will be on Thursday and Sunday every week.
  • On Thursday and Sunday, well-behaved, dry dogs on a lead will be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum with their human(s).
  • Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout their visit.
  • Guide and assistance dogs will continue to be welcome into our museum every day.
  • Only guide and assistance dogs inside our Café.
  • Pet dogs are welcome to sit outside our Café or in the Anderson shelter with their human(s), but not inside the Café please.
  • Paws must be kept on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on people, artifacts, or furniture please).
  • If your dog makes a mess, you clean it up.
  • Please be mindful of other visitors and museum artifacts.
  • If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will be politely asked to leave or take a break.
  • Usual admission prices and opening hours apply.

 

Some young people sat around a table painting Warhammer miniatures. A volunteer is stood up at the end of the table and another is sat painting.

We’re Looking For Young Volunteers!

By News

We’re looking for young people (aged 15 to 25) who would like to bring their viewpoints, creativity, ideas, and enthusiasm to our work at the museum.  We have new opportunities for volunteers who would like to work on projects, such as developing an exciting events programme, caring for and researching our fascinating artefacts and archives, podcasting and making videos, or creating new exhibitions and making our displays even more engaging.

This is a great way to get experience of the world of museums, with lots of skills being transferable to other fields of work.  We offer full support and mentoring too.  We can be flexible to find days and times for volunteering to suit you and we can often help with your expenses in getting to the museum to volunteer.  All of this is possible thanks to generous support from Young Start and The Holywood Trust who help create exciting opportunities for young people.

So, if you’d like to find out more, email our Youth and Community Engagement Officer, Tom Hughes, at education@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021

 

Poster for a Summer 2026 exhibition at The Devil's Porridge Museum. This reads: "When the state took over the pubs. Discover the fascinating story of why the government took control of all the pubs in Carlisle and district why they made the beer weaker and the pubs drab. Find out how they closed hundreds of drinking dens and engaged a man to design fifteen new model inns and set the standard for pubs throughout the country and finally how it all ended. The poster includes photos and illustrations of State Management Pubs from the past, some state management bears, labels, some photos of people in the past, a newspaper article and the front page of a document called A Bill.

State Management Exhibition 2026

By Current Exhibition

What to Expect at The State Management 2026 Exhibition

Discover the fascinating story of why the government took control of all the pubs in Carlisle and district why they made the beer weaker and the pubs drab. Find out how they closed hundreds of drinking dens and engaged a man to design fifteen new model inns and set the standard for pubs throughout the country.

You will see State Management items from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s collection, plus illustrations of State Management Pubs created by Malcom Little.

This exhibition was compiled by Malcom Little. Recently, he has been working on a project to illustrate all fifteen Harry Redfern pubs and publish a book ‘Carlisle’s Pubs, The Devil’s Porridge and Harry Redfern.’ This book and project led to the exhibition that we’re now proud to have at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

We are also proud to have Malcom’s book and prints of his artwork on sale at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

 

Other Things to be Aware of…

This exhibition is included in your entry into The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You can check out The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s latest opening hours and admission prices by clicking here>   

Some children gathered in an Anderson Shelter. Some are holding suitcases.

Air Raids Day

By Archive

Join us for some FREE Air Raids Day activities at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

When is Air Raids Day?

Thursday 9th July 2026.

Morning session: 11am to 12.30pm

Or

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

What Will be Happening?

Get hands on with history during our Air Raids Day. Make your own gas mask, practice your air raid drill and visit our Anderson Shelter. You’ll even have the chance to handle original wartime artefacts and much more!

This free activity for families will take place in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s education room (other than visiting our Anderson Shelter), just drop in to take part in either the morning or afternoon session. No need to book!

These activities are free, but usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

 

You might also be interested in…

Two people sticking their heads into a seaside themed painting of two people riding donkeys. This is a black and white photo.

Beside the Seaside

By Archive

Free drop-in seaside themed activities for all the family to enjoy.

When is Beside the Seaside?

Friday 10th July 2026

Morning session: 11am to 12.30pm

Or

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

What is Beside the Seaside?

Enjoy some old fashioned seaside themed activities at The Devil’s Porridge Museum with hook-a-duck and buzzer wire games, painted photo scene, windmill and flag making and more.

Drop in any time between 11am and 12.30pm or 2pm and 3.30pm. These family activities are free, usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around all The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

A man wearing a suit holding a small dog. This is a black and white photo from the past.

Dog Friendly Trial Week

By Archive

When is our Dog Friendly Trial Week?

Monday 29th June 2026 to Sunday 5th July 2026.

10am to 4.30pm with last entry into The Devil’s Porridge Museum at 3.45pm.

What to Expect from the Dog Friendly Trial Week?

You’ve been asking. We’ve heard you.

We know dogs are a big part of many families, so we’re having a dog friendly trial week at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

From Monday 29th June to Sunday 5th of July 2026 well-behaved, dry, dogs on leads will be welcome into our museum with their humans!

To help everyone enjoys their visit and look after our museum we do ask that you keep your dog on a lead at all times, keep all paws on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on artifacts, people, or furniture please!) and if your dog makes a mess you clean it up. Please be mindful of other visitors and respect our museum artifacts. If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will politely be asked to leave or have a break from your visit.

Many of our museum’s team our dog-lovers and understand that our furry friends may need a break from time to time. Therefore, we would like to remind you that you are allowed in and out of The Devil’s Porridge Museum as many times as you would like on the day you have paid to visit us.

Only guide and assistance dogs will be allowed inside The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Café, but you continue to be welcome to sit outside our Café with a pet dog, or even in our Anderson shelter!

If all goes well with the trial hopefully, we will be able to have more dog friendly days at The Devil’s Porridge Museum in the future!

Things to be Aware of…

  • Our dog friendly trial week is Monday 29th June to Sunday 5th July 2026.
  • During this week, well-behaved, dry dogs will be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum with their human(s).
  • Paws must be kept on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on people, artifacts, or furniture please).
  • If your dog makes a mess, you clean it up.
  • Please be mindful of other visitors and museum artifacts.
  • If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will be politely asked to leave or take a break.
  • Usual admission prices and opening hours apply.
  • Only guide and assistance dogs inside our Café.
  • Pet dogs are welcome to sit at the tables outside our Café or in the Anderson shelter with their human(s).

Thank you!

Some triangle On War Service badges and round Women's Police Force Badges for H.M. Factory Gretna on display inside a display case.

Badge Making Workshop

By Archive

When is Badge Making Day?

Tuesday 14th July 2026

Morning session: 11am to 12:30pm

Or

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

 

What Will Be Happening?

Discover some of the badges that were given out at H.M. Factory Gretna and try making two different styles of badges. Plus, you’ll be able to take the badges you make home with you.

This free activity for families will take place in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s education room, just drop in to take part in either the morning or afternoon session. No need to book!

These activities are free, but usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

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