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Black and white photo of Wilfred Edmondson sat wearing a suit.

Worker of the Week: Wilfred Manson Edmondson.

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 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 thank you to our research volunteers and Wilfred’s relative for kindly getting in touch with us. 

This week’s Worker of the Week, is Wilfred Manson Edmonson. 

Early Life

  • Wilfred Manson Edmondson was born on 22nd January 1885.
  • His parents were Alfred Edmondson and Mary Cunnington.
  • Additionally, Wilfred was the oldest of six children.

 

  • According to census records, Wilfred grew up living in Yorkshire, although the family did move to different towns in the region.

Marriage

  • After this, our next record of Wilfred is his marriage.
  • Seemingly, in 1913 in the Skipton District, William married Alice Dixon.

Time in the Army

  • Next, on 12th August 1914 Wilfred enlisted into the Army according to his service record.
  • Shortly after, on 23rd September 1914, Wilfred entered ‘the theatre of war’ and he served in the Amy Service Corps.
  • Wilfred’s army service number was MS/1924.

 

  • As Wilfred’s relative kindly took the time to share with us in an email:

“He was in the army from 1914-15 but was then dismissed as no longer physically fit for military service.”

  • On 3rd January 1915, Wilfred was described as wounded, whilst his duty location was France and Flaunders.
  • By the 12th July 1915, Wilfred was discharged from the army.
  • The reason for his discharge is given on his service records as “permanently physically unfit.”
  • Additionally, he is listed as being entitled to a “wounded stripe.”

H.M. Factory Gretna

A group of ten men sat and stood for a photo wearing suits.

Photo kindly donated by Wilfred Edmondson’s relative. [1] Wilfred is seated on the left front in this photo.

  • Although, we don’t know exactly when Wilfred started working at H.M. Factory Gretna a relative of his has kindly shared photos of him with some people who worked there in 1918. [1]
  • As the relative took the time to share with us:

“Having visited the museum we realise that the reason Wilfred never spoke about his time at Gretna was that he would have had to sign the Official Secrets’ Act.”

  • However, they have kindly shared with us some photos which features Wilfred with some of his colleagues from “April 1918,” which was taken in Frank Holbrook, Alexander Studios, Dumfries and Annan. [1]
  • On the back of the picture was a list which includes the following names and occupations in addition to Wilfred:
  1. W Falconer, foreman;
  2. Tom Harris dips;
  3. W D Macrae blower;
  4. W Graunt foreman;
  5. C Franks chargehand;
  6. Reginald Keen (farmer) fireman;
  7. J Simmons shift chemist;
  8. J Scully charger;
  9. And J Maxwell blower.

 

A group of ten men, including Wilfred Manson Edmondson wearing suits.

Photo kindly donated by Wilfred Edmondson’s relative. [1] Wilfred is on the far right of this photo.

  • Several of these were found by Wilfred’s relatives supposed to have found the Electoral Rolls as living in Eastriggs and working as munitions workers.
  • For example, could the J Maxwell, blower be ‘Joseph Maxwell, munitions worker, C 4 Hostel, Eastriggs’  on the electoral roll, W Falconer, foreman be ‘William Falconer, munitions worker, F2, Eastriggs,’ or W D Macrae match up with ‘William Daniel Macrae, munitions worker Newfoundland House, Eastriggs.’
  • Although it’s impossible to know for sure, it does seem likely to us. What do you think?

Life After World War One

  • We know that Wilfred and Alice returned to Skipton by 1920, as their first child was born and sadly died there that same year.
  • Following this, Alice and Wilfred must have moved to Conway Bay, Wales at some point prior to or at the start of 1923.
  • They had a further two children while they lived there.

 

  • Later, it seems that the family moved to Preston in Lancashire.
  • This is where Alice died in 1954.
  • At some point after this, Wilfred went to live with one of his children in Cornwall.

 

  • On 10th May 1967 William died.
  • Lastly, is buried in the church yard at St Martin by Looe Church, Cornwall.

 

Sources and Further Reading

  1. Digital copy of photos kindly donated by Wilfred’s relative.
  2. J Scully online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/j-scully
  3. J Simmons online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/j-simmons
  4. Reginald Keen online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/reginald-keen
  5. C Franks online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/c-franks
  6. William Daniel Macrae online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/william-macrae
  7. Tom Harris online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/tom-harris
  8. William Falconer online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/william-falconer

Find Wilfred Manson Edmonson’s online database entry here>

Do you have a relative who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? We would love to hear from you! So far we have not come across a full list of factory workers and we’re always hoping to learn more. 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>

A collage of photos including an On War Service Badge, some newspapers, a person holding a newspaper and some fire.

Worker of the Week: James Auld

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 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  Thank you to all our excellent research volunteers!

This week’s Worker of the Week is James Auld. During his time at H.M. Factory Gretna he was threatened, appears in a newspaper article about “Unbusiness-Like Methods” there and later went on to set fire to some things. Read on to find out more.

Early Life

  • Firstly, on the 9th January 1891, James Cecil William Auld was born in Lanarkshire.
  • James was the only child of William and Emily Auld.

 

  • According to the the 1891 census, the family are recorded as living at The Manse, Carnock, Fife.
  • Perhaps, unsurprisingly given this address, William worked as a Reverend.

 

  • Seemingly, James would have attended Dunfermline High School.
  • However, we do not know the exact dates he attended.

 

  • After this, in 1909, James joined the Seaforth Highlanders.

Married Life

  • Following this, on 14th September 1912, James married Mary Hillhowas Gowans in Glasgow.
  • At this time James was working is an engine fitter.
  • Later, they went on to have nine children.

Life at H.M. Factory Gretna

  • We know that James Auld worked as a engineer at H.M. Factory Gretna from at least 1917.
  • Whilst working at the factory he appears to have lived in G 10, Eastriggs.

 

  • James and Mary’s first son was born in Dornok in April 1917.
  • On the record for this James is described as a mechanical engineer of G10, Eastriggs.

 

A triangle shaped, brass On War Service badge. There is a crown inside the triangle with 1916 underneath it.

H.M. Factory Gretna workers would have been given an On War Service badge during their time working at the factory.

 

  • However, this is far from the only trace we have found of James at the factory.
  • He appears in an account of a Dornock robbery in the local newspaper. [1]
  • Seemingly, on 26th May 1917 a Robert Douglas Gibson Henderson from Back Lowthertown, Dornock was accused of stealing a purse. [1]
  • How is relevant to James? Well, after the theft Robert was then accused of heading to “cemetery, and in a field adjoining the cemetery” where he was accused of having:

“assaulted James Cecil Wallace Auld, foreman engineer, G 10, Eastriggs, Dornock and Robert Wotherspoon, engineer, Jutland House, Eastriggs and threatened to stab them with a knife.”

– The Dumfries and Galloway Standard Newspsaper, 2nd June 1917. [1]

  • Although, we don’t know any further details of what happened in the cemetery, it does seem likely that James and Robert [2] would have worked together at the factory.
  • Additionally, they both lived in Eastriggs, one of the two vital townships (the other being Gretna) built to help accommodate and facilitate those that worked there.

(Meanwhile, the rural site of the factory actually stretched from from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland, despite what the name assigned to it by the government at the time suggests. Although the central administration buildings were located in Gretna, according to the factory manual, the name ‘H.M. Factory Gretna’ could have been a deliberate bit of misdirection. Would anyone want their enemies to know the exact location of their munitions factories, after all?)

  • Notably, Robert Wotherspoon [2] must have left quite an impression on James Auld as named his son after him!
Robert Wotherspoon wearing a suit stood next a girl, who is most probably his daughter. This is an archive photo from the past.

Robert Womesly, friend of James Auld, is on the right of this photo.

“Unbusiness Like Methods” at the Factory

  • Seemingly, this was not the only time James appeared in the newspaper whilst working at H.M. Factory Gretna.
  • Apparently, he may have been involved in some “unbuisness-like methods” in at the factory. [3]

 

  • According to the Dumfries and Galloway standard newspaper, it all kicked of with fellow Eastriggs resident, Harry Ainsworth [4], clocking into his shift at H.M. Factory Gretna early.
  • The newspaper recounts how Harry was charged “with having defrauded the Ministry of Munitions of the sum of 14s 6d” after clocking in at 11.23am on 21st February 1918, only to actually start his shift at 6pm. [3]
  • After receiving his calling up notice, Harry went to Gretna to make the military authorities aware of his protection certificate (presumably from working at H.M. Factory Gretna) with permission of his supervisor.
  • Before heading off to Gretna though he clocked in at the factory, leaving him with a 19 hour long shift!
  • However the :

“accused pleaded not guilty”

– ‘Unbusiness-Like Methods” at Gretna’, The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Wednesday 20th March 1918. [3]

  • In fact the defence argued that it was was custom for men to go to Gretna in the Ministry’s time after they were called up and it was done with the knowledge of superior officials!

 

Munition girls going off duty Gretna township station. This photo is from the museum's archive. Some text at the top read "returning form work- Gretna Township station."

The train station at Gretna township. Could Harry have been here while he had clocked on at the factory?

 

  • What does this have to do with James? Well, by this time it turns out that “the engineer in charge of the section in which the accused was employed” and indeed Harry’s supervisor was named “Mr Auld.”
  • Could this be James? We think it is highly likely, don’t you?
  • So what did he have to say about Harry’s claims? Seemingly, Mr Auld gave Harry a train ticket to go to Gretna, but he had not given Harry permission to do this in the Ministry’s time and did not agree with him having done so.

 

  • Unfortunately, for Mr Auld the defence was able to provide some evidence on the point.
  • Ultimately, the Sheriff Champion found the case not proven and concluded:

“He was afraid very casual customs might prevail at Gretna. Probably they would be better of revision: but bringing up any particular individual and charging him with an offence under the regulations was not the fairest way to institute reform. Anything more unbusiness-like than this practice one could scarcely imagine, and it was little wonder that expenses ran up at Gretna if this was the way they did business.”

– ‘”Unbusiness-Like Methods” at Gretna’, The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Wednesday 20th March 1918.[3]

  • We don’t know if James faced any repercussions in response to this case, but it was reported that an inquiry should be made into business methods at the Factory, in response to these comments.[3]
  • Naturally, it is highly possible that James Auld was not even involved in these “unbusiness-like methods” at the factory, but it does look as though he could have been in charge of the section where it happened. What do you think?

Travels

  • Next we find James on 6th May 1918, when he travelled to New York from Glasgow on the ship ‘City of Exeter.’
  • Although it doesn’t seem that he was traveling for leisure, as he was working as a ships engineer.

“Careless” Driving

  • After this James returned to Scotland.
  • In fact we precede to find him in several newspaper articles. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that any of these were for best behaviour.
  • Firstly, in February 1936:

“James Cecil Wallace Auld, motor car dealer, St Ronans, Mill Road, Yorker, Dumbarton, was fined £10 with an alternative of 30 days imprisonment.”

– “Motor Car Dealer Fined,” The Scotsman, 28th February 1936. [5]

  • The day before, The Edinburgh Evening News records how James Cecil Wallace Auld, a “Fife road offence motor cyclist who fell off his machine” was “fined £10” and plead guilty to the charge. [6]
  • Meanwhile, The Dundee Evening Telegraph records James as having been “drunk in charge of a motor cycle.” [7]

 

  • Later in 1937, James was fined for his driving again.

On this occasion, James:

“pleaded not guiltily to driving his car carelessly on 17th July.”

– Kilmarnock Herald and North Ayrshire Gazette, Friday 24th September 1937. [8]

Ultimately, though:

“A fine of £3 was imposed. The accused was disqualified from driving for a year.”

– Kilmarnock Herald and North Ayrshire Gazette, Friday 24th September 1937. [8]

“Fire-Raising At Three Farms”

  • This wasn’t the last time that James Cecil Wallace Auld appears in the newspaper for wrongdoing.
  • On the 2nd February 1941 he appears to have set fire to some things.
  • More specifically, The Dundee Courier records James as having:

“pleaded guilty to setting fire to eight stacks at three neighbouring Fife farms. Damage caused was estimated at £479”

– The Dundee Courier newspaper, Friday 14th February 1941. [9]

  • Similar accounts of the incident can be found in The Scotsman [10] and The Dundee Evening Telegraph. [11]
  • As a consequence of this actions James was “sentenced to nine months imprisonment.”
  • We haven’t found any more rule-breaking exploits from James in any newspapers after this. Perhaps this final imprisonment was enough to put him off. What do you think?

 

  • Lastly,  James died in September 1972.

Sources and Further Reading

  1. “Robbery at Dornock, ” The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Saturday 2nd June 1917.
  2. Worker of the Week: Robert Wortherspoon – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-robert-wotherspoon
  3. ‘Unbusiness-Like Methods” at Gretna, The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Wednesday 202th March 1918.
  4. Worker of the Week: Harry Ainsworth – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-harry-ainsworth
  5. “Motor Car Dealer Fined,” The Scotsman Newspaper, Friday 28th February 1936.
  6. “Fife Road Offence Motor Cyclist Who Fell off His Machine Yorker Man Fined £10,” The Edinburgh Evening New Newspaper, Thursday 27th February 1936.
  7.  “Drunk in Charge of a Motor Cycle,” The Dundee Evening Standard Newspaper, Thursday 27th February 1936.
  8. Kilmarnock Herald and North Ayrshire Gazette Newspaper, Friday 24th September 1937.
  9. “Set Fire to Stacks at Fife Farms,” The Dundee Courier Newspaper, Friday 14th February 1941.
  10. “Set Fire to Stacks at Farms,” The Scotsman Newspaper, Friday 14th February 1941.
  11. Dundee Evening Standard Newspaper, Thursday 13th February 1941.

Find James Auld’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 painting featuring Mary Annie Anderson holding a football with some fellow members of the Mossband Swifts team in the background.

Worker of the Week: Mary Annie Anderson

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 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 thank you to our research volunteer’s and the person who donated the beautiful painting which is featured in this blog.

This week’s Worker of the Week is Mary Annie Anderson appears to have been a member of the women’s football team, The Mossband Swifts.

Early Life

  • On the 20th October 1899 Mary Annie Anderson was born in Kirkpatrick Fleming.
  • Her parents were Thomas Anderson and Mary Baty.
  • Additionally, her father was a land labourer.

 

  • According to census records, Mary appears to have spent her childhood in Kirkpatrick Flemming, followed by Buckland, Dalston in Cumbria.

Time at H.M. Factory Gretna

  • After this, Mary Annie Anderson seems to have started working at H.M. Factory Gretna when she was 16 years old.
  • At the time it seems as though she was referred to as Annie.
Possibly a photo of Mary Annie Anderson.

Possible photo of Mary Annie Anderson.

  • Annie worked in the Mossband section of H.M. Factory Gretna.
  • The rural factory site stretched from Longtown in England (where Annie would have worked) to Dornock in Scotland.
  • Additionally, the two townships of Eastriggs and Gretna were built to help house and facilitate the factory workers.

 

  • During her time at the factory, it seems that Annie was involved in some sports. [1]

The Mossband Swifts

  • The Mossband Swifts were a women’s football team that appears to be mostly made up of factory workers from A Shift. [2]
  • A “Miss Anderson” appears in a newspaper article about one of The Mossband Swifts matches. [1]
  • Accordingly, we think this could be Mary Annie Anderson.
  • However, it is important to note that this appears as “Miss R. Anderson” is used when listing the names of the team members of the Mossband Swifts earlier in this same article. [2]
  • Could this be a typo with the R supposed to be an A for Annie? What do you think?
A painting featuring Mary Annie Anderson holding a football with some fellow members of the Mossband Swifts team in the background.

We’re proud to have had this painting featuring Mary Annie Anderson in the foreground our collection.

  • Miss Anderson’s actions during a match in September 1915 is mentioned in the local newspaper when:

“Miss Anderson then broke away cleverly for Mossband and from her centre Miss McAdoe equalised.”

– The Carlisle Journal newspaper, 10th September 1917. [1]

  • At the time, The Mossband Swifts were up against a team of local Cumberland works at Brunton Park, the home of Carlisle United.
  • After the Carlisle team scored in the first half, Miss Anderson helped The Mossband Swifts equalise.

 

Colourised photo of the Mossband Swifts football team from 1917.

Above is a colourised photo of The Mossband Swifts from 1917.

  • Determined, Miss Anderson’s team mate, Miss McAdoe:

“found the net again shortly after, but the point was disallowed for offside. The Mossband goal had one or two narrow escapes after this, and just on time one of the Mossband girls had a fine chance of winning the game for her side, but she missed the leather right in front of an open goal.”

– The Carlisle Journal newspaper, September 1917. [1]

  • Conaquently, this left the match as a draw, but it sounds like it was an eventful game!
  • Although this game is the only one where we found mention of Miss Anderson so far, this was far from the only match The Mossband Swifts had. [2]

 

A leather football.

A leather football from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s collection. Could this be similar to the “leather” referred to in the newspaper article extract above?

Life After the Factory

  • Next, Mary Annie Anderson married Joseph Irving Lightfoot in 1921.
  • This followed Joseph being discharged from the army in 1917.

 

  • Later, the 1939 census shows Mary and Joseph to be living in Carlisle.
  • By this point Mary was employed in unpaid domestic work, whilst Joseph was a railway goods guard.

 

  • Joseph died in 1964.
  • Lastly, Mary Annie Anderson died in 1974.

Sources and Further Reading

[1] ‘Carlisle v Mossband Swifts,’ ‘Local Ladies Football Matches’ from The Carlisle Journal newspaper, 10th September 1917.

[2] ‘Women’s Football at Gretna’ – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/womens-football-at-gretna

Find Mary Annie Anderson’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>

Robert Wotherspoon wearing a suit. This is a black and white photo from the past.

Worker of the Week: Robert Wotherspoon

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 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 thank you to our research volunteers!

This week’s Worker of the Week, is Robert Wotherspoon, who worked as a engineer at the factory and appears in an account of a dangerous situation involving a robbery at Dornock!

Early Life

  • On 6th July 1878, Robert was born in Ralston, Renfrewshire.
  • His parent’s were Jane and Robert Wetherspoon and he was the youngest of eight children.

 

  • According to the 1881 census, the family were living in Paisley.
  • Additionally, Robert’s father was a letter press printer.
  • Similarly, the 1891 census shows they had moved to another address in Paisley and his father was still a letter press printer.

 

  • Following this, Robert has moved to Barrow in Furness, as shown by the 1901 census.
  • At this point Robert was employed as an iron turner at the shipyard works.

Travels

  • In May 1903 Robert emigrated to Boston via New York.
  • After this he sailed from New York to Glasgow in 1905.

Married Life

  • Next, we come across Robert on the 30th December 1907 when he married Eva Barton Nelson in Renton, Dunbartonshire.
  • At this point, Robert was working as an engineer journeyman.
  • Meanwhile, Eva was a domestic servant.

 

  • However Robert continued to travel, now with Eva.
  • In 1908 they emigrated to America via Canada.
  • Notably, Robert appears to have been a shipyard worker in Boston Massachusetts in that very same year.

Robert Wotherspoon wearing a suit next a girl, who we presume to be his daughter. This is a black and white photo from the past.

  • Despite this, Robert and Eva must have returned to Glasgow, as their daughter was born there in 1912.
  • Additionally, we know that Robert was an engineer journeyman at this point.

 

  • Sadly, in November 1915 Eva died in Paisley.

Life at H.M. Factory Gretna

  • We know that during World War One Robert worked as an engineer at H.M. Factory Gretna. [1]
  • During his time working at the factory we know he lived at Jutland House in Eastriggs. [1]

 

An archive map of Eastriggs.

 

  • Eastriggs was one of the two townships (the other being Gretna) built to house and facilitate those that came to work at H.M. Factory Gretna, like Robert.
  • The nine-mile rural site of the factory actually stretched from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland, although the administrative buildings for the factory site were in Gretna. [2]
  • H.M. Factory Gretna was the name given to the factory by the government at that time, despite its vital connections to Eastriggs, Dornock and Longtown as well as, the township which serves as its namesake.

 

  • Admittedly, we don’t know when Robert moved to Eastriggs, or how long he worked at the factory.
  • However, we do know that he must have been working at the factory in May 1917. [1]
  • This is thanks to the local newspaper’s account of a very seems to have been a rather dangerous situation involving a robbery. [1]

 

  • Seemingly, Robert Douglas Gibson Henderson of Back Lowthertown, Dornock was accused of stealing a purse with 20s from Eastriggs housekeeper Margaret Barton on 26th May 1917.[1]
  • If that wasn’t enough, Robert Henderson then went on to the “cemetery, and in a field adjoining the cemetery” and was accursed more bad behaviour. [1]
  • As the local newspaper puts it this was where Robert Henderson was accused of having:

“assulted James Cecil Wallace Auld, foreman engineer, G 10, Eastriggs, Dornock and Robert Wotherspoon, engineer, Jutland House, Eastriggs and threatened to stab them with a knife.”

– The Dumfries and Galloway Standard Newspsaper, 2nd June 1917. [1]

  • Who now knows the full version of what exactly happened in that cemetery on 26th May 1917?
  • What we do know is that James Auld also worked at H.M. Factory Gretna and it seems probable that Robert would have worked with him.
  •  It seems that Robert left a lasting impression on James.
  • How do we know? Well, John went on to name his son Robert Wotherspoon Auld. [3]

Later Life

  • After World War One, on the 18th January 1921, Robert moved to Toronto.

 

  • By 1950 he has returned to Scotland once more and is living in Aberdeenshire.

 

  • Robert Wortherspoon died on the 14th August 1964.

Sources and Further Information

  1.  The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Saturday 2nd June 1917, ‘Robbery at Dornock’.
  2.  ‘The Factory Manual’, From H.M. Factory Gretna from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s archive.
  3.  Online Database Entry: James Cecil William Auld – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/james-auld

You can explore some past photos of Eastriggs, where Robert lived in our history pin created by young volunteers many year ago here – https://www.historypin.org/en/eastriggs-the-town-that-world-war-one-built-2/geo/54.985551,-3.169917,11/bounds/54.802919,-3.379001,55.167356,-2.960833/paging/1/pin/1128318

Find Robert Wotherspoon’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 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>

Inside The Border Hall in Gretna. This is an archive photo.

Worker of the Week: The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society

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 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  Thank you to all our research volunteers and everyone who has helped with this.

This Worker of the Week blog post is the last that we will be sharing in 2025, so who better to celebrate with than with some members of The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society? Rest assured that our Worker of the Week posts will be returning in 2026, but for now keep reading for a compilation of information about members of The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society.

Introduction

  • The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society was one of the many activities or groups factory workers could be involved in.
  • They gave performances at The Border Hall in Gretna. [8] [9]
  • Their first performance was  ‘HMS Pinafore’ in April 1917. [8]
  • However, we know they also had productions of ‘Les Cloches de Cornville’ and ‘Paul Jones the Solway Mariner.’ [8]

 

Exterior of the Border Hall. This is a archive photo from the past.

Exterior of the Border Hall.

 

  • In The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s archive we have a programme for the Gretna Choral and Operatic Society’s last performance.
  • This was for the Gondoliers.
  • Below we explore the stories of some of the people listed in the programme (and music teacher, Ivy Herbet’s connection to the society).
Front cover of a programme for the Gretna Choral and Operatic Society at The Border Hall Gretna in 1918.

The front of The Gondoliers programme.

Alexander McKenzie Lupton

  • Alexander was born in April 1872  at New Luce, Wigtown.
  • Apparently, Alexander was one of the founding members of the Gretna Choral and Operatic Society. [8]
  • In the Gondoliers programme from 1918 Alexander leads the cast list as  “The Duke of Plazo-Toro (a Grandee of Spain)” and was the stage manger too.[9]

 

Chess boards and pieces in a collage of four photos.

Alexander seems to have liked chess.

  • Prior to his time at H.M. Factory Gretna, Alexander lived in Stirling.
  • According to the The Great War Theatre website, A. M. Lupton (presumably Alexander) was an engineer and well known in the amateur performance community in Stirling. [8]
  • He is described as having “full toned baritone voice” in an article in the British Newspaper archive.

 

Paper programme for a performance of The Gondoliers at The Border Hall, Gretna in December 1918. A.M. Lupton appears as stage manager and in the cast list. There is also information about the special trains for the performance.

 

  • During his time at H.M. Factory Gretna he worked as a draughtsman.
  • After this he continued to preform and went on to lease his own theatre.
  • Alexander died in 1946.

James Prentice

  • James was born in June 1855 at Dalziel, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
  • Significantly, James is the “Musical Director” in the Gondoliers programme from 1918.[9]
Portrait of Resident Engineer in Dornock, J. Prentice from the Dornock Souvenir Magazine.

James Prentice’s photo appears in the Dornock Farewell Magazine.

  • Before this we know he spent some time living in South Africa.

 

  • During his time at H.M. Factory Gretna, James worked as a resident engineer in the Dornock section of the factory. [11]
  • Additionally, James was on the factory Social and Athletic Committee, as the “director of all musical organisations at the committee.”[11]
  • The Social and Athletic Committee helped to decide what recreational activities went on at the factory.
  • In his role in the Committee James was integral in helping to establish the Factory Band from workers in the Dornock section of H.M. Factory Gretna. [11]
Group of people holding musical instruments sitting in front of a building. This is the Factory Band.

J Prentice sat in the middle of the factory band.

  •  Following this, James returned to South Africa.
  • He died there in August 1931.

 

Ivy Herbert

  • Ivy Herbert was born in June 1893.
  • Although, Ivy does not appear on 1918 the Gondoliers programme, it seems highly likely that she was involved helping to train those for the Orchestral Society initially.

 

Ivy Herbert picture taken from an article published in the Western Mail in 1928

Ivy Herbert picture taken from an article published in the Western Mail in 1928

  • This Orchestral Society was established to support the productions of The Choral and Operatic Society.
  • Both of these were set up by The Social and Recreational Committee, who were trying to provide factory workers with recreational activities and keep them safely on site as much as possible.
  • As part of this Ivy held classes in an upper floor room of the Gretna Institute.

 

  • After her role as a music teacher for the workers at H.M. Factory Gretna came to an end in early spring 1917, a Farewell Concert was held for her in the Border Hall in Gretna.

 

An newspaper article titled 'Concert in the Border Hall."

Ivy Herbert Carlisle Journal account of her farewell concert at the Border Hall in March 1917

  • Later she continued to teach (initially for the Royal Academy, first as a tutor and then promoted to professor of pianoforte and bestowed the title Associate of the Royal Academy), published music she had composed and appeared in many concerts, including preforming with the National Orchestra of Wales in 1928.
  • Continuing with her educational work she had weekly educational radio broadcast for schools which went out on the Cardiff channel.
  • Additionally, she featured regularly on radio in concerts and  broadcast on the World Service in 1937 performing a series of short recitals which went out on All India Radio.

 

Ivy Herbert taking part in a CEMA organised concert in 1942

Ivy Herbert taking part in a CEMA organised concert in 1942

  • During World War Two she was involved in Council for the Encouragement of Music and Arts (CEMA).
  • Her interest in music seems to have continued for all Ivy’s life and if you would like to learn about everything she was involved in (or indeed any of the people mentioned in this post) head to the sources and further reading section of this blog below.

 

  • She died in November 1993, a few months after her 100 year birthday.

 

Thomas George Dippie

  • Firstly, Thomas was born in 1884 in  Collingwood, Victoria, Australia.
  • In the Gondoliers programme from 1918 Stewart is playing “Giuseppe Palmieri,” who was one of the “Venetian Gondoilers.” [9]

 

Mrs Mary Dippie's and Thomas George Dippie's names on the Electoral Roll for Gretna 1918 to 1919. They both lived at 9 T West in Gretna. Thomas is described as a clerical assistant.

Thomas George Dippe and his wife’s records in the Electoral Role for Gretna in 1918.

  • During World War One, we know Thomas worked as a clerical assistant living at Gretna.
  • In addition to The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society, we know Thomas took part four concerts locally in 1917.
  • These include one in aid of Gretna School & Athletic Association Benevolent Fund and one for France’s Day, were Thomas also patriated in a mounted wrestling competition!

 

  • Later, Thomas appears in a promotional content in a newspaper for something that  is advertised as curing indigestion, ‘Bisurated Magnesia.’
  • Thomas died in 1955.

Egerton Sayer

  • Firstly, Egerton was born in 1864 at Clifton in Bristol.
  • Notably, he played “Don Albambra del Bolero (the Grand Inquisitor)” in the 1918 performance of the Gondoliers. [9]

 

 

Egerton Sayer at his desk during his time at H.M. Factory Gretna.

  • Initially, James worked as Assistant Chief Electrical Engineer for the Hampstead Electric Lighting committee.
  • After this he worked as an electrical engineer in the Mossband (a codename for Longtown) section of H.M. Factory Gretna.

 

The engineering staff at H.M. Factory Gretna from the Mossband Farewell Magazine.

Egerton Sayer can be seen in this photo of the Engineering Staff from the Mossband Farwell Magazine. He is second from the right on the front row.

  • Lastly, Egerton died in April 1927 at London.

 

Stewart Clifford Phipps

  • Stewart was born in February 1880 in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
  • In the Gondoliers programme from 1918, Stewart is one of the “Leaders of the orchestra.” [9]

 

Front cover of "The Gondoliers" programme from performances at The Border Hall of Gretna, a violin in front of a piano, a spotlighted violin and the inside of The Border Hall in Gretna with a stage curtain at the other end of a large hall in a collage of four photos.

 

  • Before working at H.M. Factory Gretna he was a violinist and then a musical director.
  • After this, he worked as a Clerk for the factory.
  • Additionally, Stewart was the Leader of the Orchestra and violinist in a performance of Cheerio Gretna in 1917. [10]

 

  • Later, Stewart became a music teacher.
  • Stewart died in 1977.

Other Performances at the Factory

Cast list for the Gondoliers' featuring Mr A. M. Lupton.

  • Naturally, The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society weren’t the only ones to preform during their time working at the factory.
  • Additionally, The Choral and Operatic Society didn’t only include men.
  • know Miss Graham played the piano, while Miss Cochrane, Miss Walmsley, Mrs Anderson, Miss C. Johnston, Miss Meikle, Miss Donaldson, Miss Parkes and Mrs Grinstead appear to have played parts in this performance Gondoliers, but unfortunately, we have not managed to track all them down so far. [9]
  • The fact that we have the Gondoliers programme in our collection, makes it easier to discover members of The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society, as well as know what their part was in their performance, but unfortunately we haven’t identified everyone in the programme so far.

 

 

  • Excitingly, earlier this year we were kindly donated a programme for a Concert and Dance put on by The Social and Athletic Association, so there is plenty more for us to dig into soon!

 

  • Importantly, we should also note that the rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna actually stretched Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland.
  • Significantly, the townships of Eastriggs and Gretna were both built for all those who came to work at the factory and were vital.
  • As well as providing resources for recreational activities such as dances in The Central Hall in Eastriggs, there were shops, schools, housing and tennis courts; providing a community for all those who worked at the factory with the Women’s Police Force helping to ensure the safety of many young girls on what would have been their first time living away from home.

Social and Recreational Department

  • Additionally, The factory had it’s own Social and Recreational Department, which supervised all amusements and recreational activities.
  • Not only was it thought that activities could increase productivity, but they would also help to keep munitions workers out of mischief and happy.
  • Undeniably, performances at The Border Hall in Gretna was one of the many amusements, which helped them to achieve this.
  • One more notable performance at The Border Hall was Cheerio Gretna and you can read about someone who was integral to this production below.

 

Mary Hermione Feildon

  • Firstly, in April 1886, Mary Hermione Feildon was born in Mugginton, Derbyshire.
  • It appears that she went by her middle name Hermione.

 

Miss Hermione Feildon wearing a large hat. This photo is from the Derbyshire Advertiser on Saturday 11th January 1924.

 

  • Notably, Hermione was a member of the Women’s Police Force at H.M. Factory Gretna.
  • However, Hermione also wrote and appeared in a performance of “Cheerio Gretna.” [10]
  • This took place in May 1917 at The Border Hall in Gretna.
  • Hermione played a Duke and preformed alongside some of her colleges in the Women’s Police Force (including Choral and Operatic Society member, Stewart Clifford Phipps).

 

  • Following this, Hermione moved and became involved in her local armature dramatic group “The Heckington Strolling Players.”
  • As well as performing as part of this group, Hermione wrote some of their performances and also appears to have helped train the armature dramatics group.
  • Additionally, in 1924, The Derbyshire Advertiser newspaper printed a story written by Hermione, which was serialised in to 11 parts.

 

Miss Hermione Feildon wearing a large hat. This photo is from the Derbyshire Advertiser on Saturday 11th January 1924 and is next to the first instalment of her story 'A Peakland Heritage.'

The first instalment of Miss Hermine Feildon’s story in The Derbyshire Advertiser, January 1924.

  • She died in May 1977.

 

Sources and Further Reading

  1.  Alexander McKenzie Lupton – Worker of the Week: Alexander McKenzie Lupton – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-alexander-mckenzie-lupton
  2. James Prentice – Worker of the Week: James Prentice – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-james-prentice
  3. Ivy Herbert – Ivy Herbert – Gretna’s Music Teacher – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/ivy-herbert-gretnas-music-teacher
  4. Thomas Geroge Dippie – Worker of the Week: Thomas George Dippie – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-thomas-geroge-dippie
  5.  Egerton Sayer – Worker of the Week: Egerton Sayer – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-egerton-sayer
  6. Stewart Clifford Phipps – Worker of the Week: Stewart Clifford Phipps – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-stewart-clifford-phipps
  7. Mary Hermione Feildon – Worker of the Week: Mary Hermione Feildon – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-mary-hermione-feildon
  8.  Cheerio Gretna: Theatre at the Factory by Stuart Gibbs (7th March 2018), The Great War Theatre’s website – https://www.greatwartheatre.org.uk/2018/03/406/
  9.  The Gretna Choral and Operatic Society, The Gondoliers programme, December 1918 from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s archive.
  10. Armature Theatricals in Gretna from the Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, 12th May 1917, page 5.
  11. “Factory Band,” Page 24 – 25, The Dornock Souvenir Magazine.

 

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>

A triangle shaped, brass On War Service badge. There is a crown inside the triangle with 1916 underneath it.

Worker of the Week: Maria Clennett

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 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  Thank you to all our research volunteers for making this possible.

This week’s Worker of the Week is Maria Clennett. We know she worked at H.M. Factory Gretna and later went on to become a laundry maid.

*** Please be aware this blog post will contain a historic quote referring to possible learning disabilities.  ‘Shell shock’ is also referenced separately in this blog post.***

Early Life

  • On 14th June 1895, Maria was born in Middlesbrough.
  • Her parents were Jane and William G Clennett.
  • At this time, we know his father was working as a tailor.

 

  • Following this, by the 1901 census the family our still living in Middlesbrough and Maria has three brothers.
  • Unfortunately, Maria’s mother is listed as a widow in the census.
  • Additionally, Jane was working as a charwoman.

 

  • After this the 1911 shows Maria to have moved to North Riding with her mother and three brothers.
  • In this census record Maria is also listed as “deaf and dumb” from birth. [1]
  • From the description in ‘The Health of the Munition Worker,’ historically this phrase was used:

“As a catch-all for people who were hearing impaired and may have had intellectual disabilities, so we don’t know what her  diagnosis would be today.”

– The Health of the Munition Worker by Emma Gilliland, Ellie Musgrave and Dr Laura Noakes. [2]

***

  • Similarly,  mental health conditions were perceived differently during the First World War.
  • This is exemplified by how ‘shell shock’ was often wrongly mistaken for cowardice during World War One. [4]
  • Previously, we have shared the story of brother to factory Women’s Police, Frederick Thomas McLintic, who was discharged in 1918, due to ‘shell shock’ through a Worker of the Week blog centred on his sister’s connection to the factory. [3]
  • If you would like to explore this further you can find the Worker of the Week blog for Winifred Maud McLintic by clicking here>

Life During World War One

  • From records indicated by the 1921 census we know that Maria worked at H.M. Factory Gretna during World War One.
  • We don’t know exactly what she did at the factory.
  • It is possible that she was a munition worker, or she could have worked in the laundry as suggested by her later employment. What do you think?

 

The laundry at H.M. Factory Gretna. Three women are washing clothes inside. This is an archive photo from the past.

Could Maria have worked in the laundry at the factory as shown in this photo? Or could she have been a munitions worker?

 

After H.M. Factory Gretna

  • Next, we find Maria living in Middlesbrough in the 1921 census.
  • She is listed as previously having worked at H.M. Factory Gretna.

 

A triangle shaped, brass On War Service badge. There is a crown inside the triangle with 1916 underneath it.

H.M. Factory Gretna workers like Maria would have been given an On War Service badge during their time working at the factory.

(Despite the factory’s name, the rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna stretched Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland. The townships of Eastriggs and Gretna were built to help house and facilitate those who came to work at the factory. There were also some administration buildings for the factory located in Gretna.)

 

  • Following this by 1939, Maria is living at another address in Middlesbrough with her mother Jane.
  • By this point Maria is working as a laundry maid.

 

  • Maria died in January 1977 in Scarborough.

Sources and Further Information

[1] 1911 census records.

[2] Page 31, ‘The Health of the Munition Worker’ by Emma Gilliland, Ellie Musgrave and Dr Laura Noakes. –

[3] Worker of the Week: Winifred Maud McLintic – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-winifred-maud-mclintic

[4] Voices of the First World War: Shell Shock, Imperial War Museum website – https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/voices-of-the-first-world-war-shell-shock

Find Maria Clennett’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 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>

Frederick Murray Trotter wearing a suit and his eyepatch. Photo source: The British The British Geology Survey Heritage website.

Worker of the Week: Frederick Murray Trotter

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 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 thank you goes to our research volunteers!

This Week’s Worker of the Week blog is Frederick Murray Trotter, who was recognised for his geology work after working at H.M. Factory Gretna. Read more about him below.

Early Life

  • Frederick was born on 19th April 1897 in Gateshead, Durham.
  • His parents were John and Mary Trotter.
  • Additionally, Frederick had one younger brother.

 

  • Following this, in the 1901 census, the family were still living in Durham and John was a foreman-iron steel turner.
  • However, by the 1911 census, they have moved to live in Newcastle on Tyne and his father is now described as foreman turner ordnance.

Life During World War One

  • After this, Frederick Murray Trotter started at Armstrong College, Newcastle University to study chemistry and geology. [1]
  • Interrupting his studies, 18 year old Frederick joined the Royal Engineers in 1916.[1]
  • Resultingly, Frederick was sent to the Western Front as a dispatch Rider.[1]

 

Frederick Murray Trotter in a suit.

Photo source: http://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php?curid=21408

 

  • In 1918 Frederick lost one eye and part of his skull, as result of a shrapnel wound near Vimy.[1]
  • Consequently, he was discharged on 15th August 1918.[1]

 

  • Next it appears that he went on to work at H.M. Factory Gretna.
  • This is because, the 1921 census lists Frederick as ex worker for the factory and living in Carlisle.
  • At some point around this time, Frederick also seems to have completed his studies at Armstrong College, as he was awarded a BSc in 1920.[1]

Marriage and More

  • Shortly after the 1921 census it appears that Frederick moved to Whitehaven.
  • On 14th June 1921, Fredrick joined the Freemasons in Whitehaven.[1]

 

  • In October 1922, Frederick married Evaline Carruthers in Whitehaven.

Life During World War Two

  • As of the 1939 census, Frederick was living in Glamorgan in South Wales and is described as being a Government Geologist.
  • It appears that he went there to work on a coalfield.[1]
  • Following this, near the end of 1941, Frederick was promoted.[1]
  • Accordingly, he became the District Geologist for North West England.[1]

Geology and Later Life

  • Later, in 1955, Frederick was promoted to Assistant Director (Deputy Chief Scientific Officer).[1]
  • Due to his contribution to Geology, Fredrick was awarded the Murchison medal in 1956. [2]
  • In 1963, Frederick retired.[1]
  • Across his career, Frederick had released over 50 publications, which are now in the charge of The British Geological Society.[1]

 

  • On 24th July 1968, Frederick died in Gloucestershire.

 

Sources and Further Information

[1] Frederick Murray Trotter, The British Geology Survey Heritage website – https://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Frederick_Murray_Trotter_Dr.

[2] Murchison Medal, Wikipedia Page – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murchison_Medal

[3] Frederick Murray Trotter, Wikipedia Page – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Murray_Trotter

[4]  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

 

Photo and illustration of Frederick Murray Trotter used in this blog are all from The British Geology Survey Heritage website – https://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Frederick_Murray_Trotter_Dr.

Find Frederick Murray Trotter’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 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>

Mary Braddon in uniform as a police sub-inspector. Photo is from Ancestry, Public Member Tree.

Worker of the Week: Mary Theresa Braddon

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 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 a member of the Women’s Police Force at the factory, Mary Theresa Braddon. This information has been researched through a research project led by Nigel. A huge thank you to Nigel, everyone involved in this and all our research volunteers for all their help!

Early Life

  • On 25th November 1875, Mary was born in Koromiko, Marlborough, New Zealand.
  • In total Mary had five siblings.
  • Her parents were James & Hannah (nee Blaymires) McIntosh.

Marriage

  • Next, we come across Mary’s marriage to Edward George Braddon 1900.
  • This took place in Sydney Australia.
  • Notably, Edward’s father was Sir Edward Nicholas Coventry Braddon, who served within the Australian Parliament and as the Premier of Tasmania. [5]

 

  • Edward George Braddon was a specialist mining engineer and it appears he often travelled for his work.
  • Following their marriage, they travelled to the West Indies and South America for Edward’s occupation.

Life in World War One and H.M. Factory Gretna

  • After this, we know Mary worked in the women’s police force at H.M. Factory Gretna.
  • This is because she appears in the Gretna Valuation Role from the time, described as a “policewoman” living in “Women’s Police Barracks Number 1” in Gretna.
  • Below is a photo of some members of the women’s police force, but we don’t know if Mary features!

 

ome of H.M. Factory Gretna's Women's Police Force in front of one of the hostels.

 

  • Meanwhile, Edward had signed up, joining the Royal Fusiliers.
  • Although, he joined as a private he progressed to a sergeant.
  • Sadly, he died on 4th February 1917 after a fever.
  • He was serving with the 25th Battalion Royal Fusiliers at the time.

 

Womens Police badge.

Ministry of Munitions Women’s Police Service badge from the Museum collection. This would have been used at H.M. Factory Gretna.

  •  Mary’s address at the Gretna Women’s Police Barracks is also shown on Edward’s pension card.

(During her time working at the factory, Mary lived in one of the two townships – Gretna, with the other referred to being Eastriggs – built for all the munitions workers who came to work there. H.M. Factory Gretna’s rural site stretched from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland, despite what it’s name suggests!)

Police Work

  • After her time at Gretna, Mary appears to have continued in policing until 1919.
  • She also worked as a police woman in London and achieved the rank of sub inspector.
  • Notably, we can’t be sure if she achieved this at the factory or in London.

 

Mary Braddon in uniform as a police sub-inspector. Photo is from ancestry, public member tree.

Mary in her sub-inspector uniform. This photo is from Ancestry Public Member tree.

  • By the 1921 census, Mary is still living in London.
  • Significantly, she is no longer a police woman by this point.

Travels

  • Next, on  4th June 1927, Mary left London aboard the SS Minnetonka, which was bound for New York.
  • As indicated by her arrival documents, Mary was in New York from 13th June 1927.
  • However, these same arrival documents indicate she remained in America for a few weeks, because she was soon to leave for Wellington, New Zealand.

Time in New Zealand

  • During her time living in New Zealand, Mary featured in serval newspaper articles. [2] [3] [4]
  • Many of these appear to have been in connection to her work in the Women’s Police previously. [3] [4]
  • One example from 1935 highlights Mary giving a talk to the Ngaio branch of the League of Mothers, where she is described as: [2]

“The speaker of the afternoon was Mrs. Braddon (an ex-member of the Women’s Police Force in England), who traced circumstances and conditions in England during the war which led to the forming of the Women’s Police Force, making special mention of two pioneer women, Miss Mary Allen O.B.E and Miss Damer Dawson O.B.E., who trained a splendid band of women for this work.”

– ‘Ngario Branch’, The Evening Post newspaper, 16th May 1935. [2]

  • It appears that she lived in Wellington, New Zealand for some time, before moving to Glenbrook, Penrith, New South Wales by the electoral registers for 1943.

 

  • On 4th November 1949, Mary died in Kingswood, New South Wales. [1]
  • Mary was buried in Kingswood Cemetery, now Penrith General Cemetery.

Sources and Further Reading

[1] ‘Late Mrs. M. Braddon. Served in London Women’s Police Force,’ page 9, The Nepean Times Newspaper, 24th November 1949. (Published in Penrith, New South Wales).

[2]’Ngario Branch,’ page 21, The Evening Post Newspaper, 16th May 1935. (Published in Wellington, New Zealand).

[3]’Women’s Police. Good Work in Birmingham,’ page 15, The Evening Post Newspaper, 6th December 1935. (Published in Wellington, New Zealand).

[4]’Sub-Inspector M. T. Braddon, who says the public should be educated to the necessity for women police,’ page 20, NZ Truth, 23rd January 1930. (Published in Wellington, New Zealand but sold nationally).

[5] Edward Bradon, Wikipedia Entry – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Braddon (Please note that this page is for Mary’s husband’s father.)

Photo source: The image of Mary in her sub-inspector uniform is from Ancestry, Public Member Tree.

Find Mary Theresa Braddon’s online database entry 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>

Potatoes, some corn beef, a box of matches and a replica munitions workers uniform from H.M. Factory Gretna.

Worker of the Week: Thefts at the Factory

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 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 thank you goes to our amazing research volunteers, as always!

First, we must admit that this week’s Worker of the Week blog is a wee bit different to usual, because instead of focusing on one person connected to the H.M. Factory Gretna we are sharing a compilation of stories we’ve uncovered about thefts at the factory.  Naturally, this compilation is far from conclusive, but it will feature hats, corn beef and potatoes stolen by people who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna! Notably, they all faced consequences for their actions, so read on to find out more!

 

1. The Gretna “Fried Fish” Shop Heist.

  • One Winter Sunday evening, a local shop in Springfield, Gretna was busy with girls who worked at the factory.
  • This wasn’t unusual, but this time something was different.
  • Suddenly, the lamp was blown out leaving the shop in darkness.
  • After this, the next morning in fact, Baldi Toni, the owner of the shop, found some of his stock had disappeared!
  • The items which had vanished were:
  1.   9 cheese plates;
  2.    2 cans of corned beef;
  3.    6 boxes honey;
  4.    and 3 bottles of Worcester sauce

 

Graphic of Worcester sauce, corned beef, honey and cheese.

  • Fast forward, “five or six weeks” and we come to a court case in Dumfries.
  • Five munitions workers from the nearby factory, Lily Brown (20), Ellen Doran (19), Christina Langan (19) Minnie Turnbull (18) and Isabella Kennedy (19) were accused of theft.
  • As a result they all admitted to their part in what we have titled here ‘The Gretna “Fried Fish” Shop Heist and were charged with the crime.
  • Notably, solicitor Mr I. F. Edgar made a statement on their behalf. (Look out for him popping up a few times in this blog!)[1]

(Recently, someone has suggested that the food they stole could have been ingredients for Welsh Rarebit. What do you think?)

2. Disappearing Potatoes.

  • For some time food had been mysteriously disappearing from the factory central kitchen.
  • To find the reason for this unexplained mystery, a keen watch was started.

 

  • Then, one morning, just as all the people in the kitchen were tucking in to breakfast, a bag of around 10 stones of potatoes was taken from the kitchen.
  • Suspiciously, Bertha and George Bradly were seen to be entering the stable after just being in the kitchen at around this time…
  • After this, John Irving found a mysterious bag of around 10 stones of potatoes in a lorry and took it to the stable.
  • Seemingly, John claimed he thought it contained carrots and had no intention of taking the potatoes for his own use. Could John have just been in the wrong place at the wrong time?

 

Lots of potatoes. This photo is from Canva.

  • Resultingly, George, Bertha and John all ended up in court accused of pinching:
  1. Approximately 10 stones of potatoes;
  2. About 3 stones of carrots;
  3. Around 3 lbs of beetroot;
  4. 3 leeks;
  5. and the small straw bag.
  • We know that George and John “pleaded guilty to taking ten stones of potatoes, but the female accused pleased not guilty.” “The Fiscal accepted this plea, and deserted the diet against the female accused.” Bertha Bradly was innocent.
  • Meanwhile, George and John, who both worked as carters at the factory, were charged with “each pay[ing] a fine with the alternative of fourteen days imprisonment.”

 

3. The Hostel Heist.

  • Munitions worker Annie Nailas (referred to as Annie Nailes in The Dumfries and Galloway Standard) was found to have stolen items from  at “Hostel N, East 2, Gretna”.
  • Between the 9pm on the 4th January and 4pm on 5th January 1917, Annie was alleged to have stolen:
  1.  A leather purse with 8s in from Agnes Wright’s coat pocket;
  2. A blue serge skirt, a lady’s tweed coat, a leather lunch case, another leather purse with 10s 8d, belonging to Isabelle Alexander from a locked cupboard;
  3. A camisole, an underskirt, a silk blouse and a lady’s hat from Ina Scoon’s locked cupboard;
  4. And a white silk scarf belonging to Emma Holman from another locked cupboard.

 

Illustrations of coins, a leather purse, a blue skirt, a lady's hat and a white silk scarf with a photo of an on War Service Badge. There is some lined paper in the background,

Could Annie have stolen items similar to the ones illustrated in this photo?

  • Significantly, all the people stolen from were munition workers living at Hostel N, East 2
  • At the time of the theft in  1917 “the total value of the articles was between £3 and £4.”
  • However, Annie was found out.
  • She was defended by solicitor Mr I. F. Edgar at court, but she pled guilty and had three other convictions from prior to her time at the factory.
  • Ultimately, “The Sheriff said it seemed to be a determined case of stealing and passed sentence of thirty days imprisonment.” [3]

 

4. A Hat Trick.

  • If only we knew why munitions worker Sarah Carter stole another munitions workers hat.
  • Alas, may never know why for sure, but we do know that Sarah pled guilty to stealing the hat at court in Dumfries.
  • Consequently, she was given 10 days in prison.

 

Replica munitions workers uniform and hat on display in The Devil's Porridge Museum.

Could Sarah Carter have stolen a hat like this one?

  • The sheriff at the time reflected “they must put a stop to these thefts at Gretna if possible.” [4]

(We do not know for sure where this hat theft took place, or exactly what happened. Despite H.M. Factory Gretna’s name, it is significant to note that the nine-mile rural site of the factory stretched from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland. The townships of both Eastriggs and Gretna were also vital; both were built to house and facilitate all those who came to work at the factory. Often the factory location is referred to simply as “Gretna” in past newspaper articles, perhaps as they did not want to risk telling everyone publicly exactly where it was during World War One, so do you think the Sherriff’s reflection refers to the factory as a whole or just Gretna township?)

5. Matches in a Munitions Factory?!

  • Although this is technically not a theft, there were very strict rules regarding what people could bring on to the factory site.
  • According to the ‘Regulations Governing Employment:

““No person shall bring within the Factory, or have in his possession, whilst in the factory, any match or apparatus for producing light, or any lamp, light or fire of any description.”

– The Regulations Governing Employment for H.M. Factory Gretna.

  • Additionally, the Women’s Police Force used to search munitions workers on the way into the factory site.
  • If any contraband such as matches, or metal items like hairpins, buttons or knitting needles were found they would be removed (yes, that does include cutting metal buttons off clothing too!) and the culprit fined.

 

Florence Annie Tinkler in her munitions worker uniform.

Florence Tinkler. This photo is from Ancestry Public Members tree.

  • One example is Florence Tinkler, who was fined £2 for bringing matches into the factory grounds, who:

“Immediately after paying the fine the accused collapsed in her seat and had to be carried out of the courtroom by a police officer.”

  • Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, 8th December 1917
  • Additionally, another factory worker found to have matches on the way into the factory was Reginald Ezra Parry.
  • Reginald worked as a chemist and he plead guilty to having a box of matches within the factory fence in, similarly in late 1917.
  • However, Reginald’s charges were dismissed with an admonition!

 

Reginald Ezra Parry M.Sc., University of Melbourne

Reginald Ezra Parry M.Sc., University of Melbourne, 1915

  • Obviously, these were far form the only two munitions workers who were found to have contraband inside the factory grounds.
  • Significantly, members of the Women’s Police Force at the factory would also search munitions workers on the way back out to check they hadn’t stolen anything from inside.

 

Sources and Further Reading

[1] Account of ‘The Gretna “Fried Fish” Shop Crime’ is based upon The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper article, “THEFTS BY GRETNA GIRLS” from Wednesday 21st February 1917.

[2] Account of ‘Disappearing Potatoes’ is based upon The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper article, “POTATO STEALERS FINED” from Saturday 2nd June 1917.

[3] Account of ‘The Hostel Heist’ is based upon an article from The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Wednesday 24th January 1917.

[4] Account of ‘A Hat Trick’ is based upon The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper article, “THEFTS BY GRETNA GIRLS” from Saturday 10th March 1917.

[5] ‘Matches in a Munitions Factory?!” sources follow:

 

Do you have a relative who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? If so, 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! As well as this you can also have a look at some more H.M. Factory Gretna workers on our online database here>

A table with doorways into a bedroom. This is inside a hostel for H.M. Factory Gretna in the past.

Worker of the Week: Georgina Little

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 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  We would like to thank our research volunteers and the relatives of this week’s Worker of the Week, who kindly shared some information.

This our Worker of the Week is Georgina Little, who was a maid at one of the factory hostels.

Early Life

  • On 3rd January 1897, in Asprita, Cumberland.
  • Georgina was the youngest of seven children to George and Mary Little.
  • Additionally, her father George worked in coal mines according to census records.
  • A relative has kindly shared with us that was “known as Ina.”

 

  • Following this, the 1901 census shows the family to be living in West End, Asprita.
  • At this point, Georgina would have been 4 years old.

 

  • Later, the 1911 census shows Georgina to be living at the same address with her parents.
  • However, some of her siblings have moved out, as only one of her brothers and her nephew appear on the census.

H.M. Factory Gretna

  • We first came across Ina’s connection to the factory, due to one of her relatives who kindly contacted us, thinking they had worked at the factory.
  • As well as this, they kindly shared that thought that “she was a maid for a manager Miss Tom.”
  • Christina Muddie Thom was a matron of one of the hostels at the factory [1]. Could it be that Ina worked with her?
  • Yes! The electoral register and the valuation rolls for Eastriggs in 1918 to 1919, show us that she worked as a maid at this hostel with Christina Muddie Thom.[1]

 

  • For many of the young munitions workers who lived in hostels it would have been there first time living away from home.
  • Matrons like Christina Muddie Thom would have helped look after them and we think it is likely that Ina assisted with this.[1]
  • Hostels also provided food for lodgers. Perhaps, Ina would have even helped to serve food in the messrooms and clean up afterwards. What do you think?

 

Messroom inside one of the hostels at Gretna from the past. Some people are sitting at tables.

Messroom inside a Hostel.

  • Ina worked as a maid at Drake house hostel, 47 -61 Dunedin Road, Eastriggs.

(Many of the hostels for the factory were named after real people, such as Edith Cavell and Florence Nightingale. The hostel that Christina worked in was named after Sir Francis Drake, who is often recognized for circumnavigating the globe and his role in defeating the invading Spanish Armada. However, Drake was involved in piracy, colonialism and slave trade.[2] [3])

Here's a photograph of Edith Cavell Hostel in Gretna.

Edith Cavell Hostel in Gretna from our archive. The buildings here would have been similar to Drake’s Hostel in Eastriggs.

Married Life

  • It seems that Ina returned to Asprita after her time working in Eastriggs.
  • In 1936 she married John Thomas Metcalfe.

 

  • Following this, the 1939 census shows Ina and John living at a cottage in Asprita.
  • John appears to be working as a horse man on a nearby farm.

Later

  • On 24th February 1954, John died.
  • At this point John and Ina were still living at the same farm as the 1939 census.

 

  • Ina died in February 1988.

Sources and Further Reading

[1] Worker of the Week: Christina Muddie Thom – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-christina-muddie-thom

[2] Sir Francis Drake Information and Blog Post, The Golden Hind – https://www.goldenhinde.co.uk/discover/sir-francis-drake and  https://www.goldenhinde.co.uk/blog/278-drake-was-a-slave-trader

[3] Sir Francis Drake, History of England Historic UK – https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Sir-Francis-Drake/ 

 

Read Georgina Little’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>

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