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Explosion at World War One Shell Filling Factory

By September 25th, 2024No Comments
A plan of the National Filling Factory, Morecambe.

A recent visitor to the Museum sent us this information.  She has spent time researching a World War One munitions factory which is local to her: the No13 Filling Factory on White Lund Morecambe.

When she visited, she spoke with Judith, the Museum Manager and told her about the ‘Power House’ near the Filling Factory which was demolished in June this year (despite a local campaign to save it).  It is shown, prior to its demolition, in the photograph below.

Our visitor has sent us the photograph above and also the map below.  The Power House is in the top left corner close to the entrance, by the railway sidings.  Four men won bravery awards (the Edward Medal in Silver) for their bravery in that building 1-3rd October 1917 when there was a large explosion at Morecambe Shell Filling Factory.

Photo copyright King’s Own Regimental Museum. http://www.kingsownmuseum.com/1917-exhibition-025.htm

The Power House was where the steam was generated to run the ‘fireless’ engines.  We have an exampled of one such fireless locomotive outside The Devil’s Porridge Museum (see photo below).  In this clip, Steve Irwin is talking about the explosion and the important role the fireless engines played in helping save the area from disaster https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02l8dmn

Thanks to this visitor for sharing her research with us and for adding this comment in support of the Museum’s work:

“It’s just a shame that…Morecambe [has] not made the most of their heritage in relation to this site, that is why I am so supportive and in admiration of what you are doing at Eastriggs – very well done!”

 

 

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