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 Thanks to all our research volunteers!
For this Week’s Worker of the Week we are sharing the story of two sisters, Ethel and Florence Tinkler, both of which worked at H.M. Factory Gretna.
Early Life
- Ethel Mary Tinkler was born on 25th September 1895 in Penrith, Cumberland.
- Following this her younger sister Florence was born on 25th March 1985 similarly, Penrith.
- The sisters had four other siblings.
- Their parents were Thomas Kendal Tinkler and Isabella nee Alderson.
- Accordingly, by the 1901 census, the family are still living in Penrith and their father is a joiner.
- By 1911 the family is still living in Penrith and Thomas is still described as a joiner.
World War One
- During the World War One, Ethel and Florence’s brother served in the military.
- Sadly, he was killed in action in France during 1916.
- We don’t know when Ethel and / or Florence started working at H.M. Factory Gretna, but it is possible that they were working at the factory when this happened.
Time at H.M. Factory Gretna
- By 1917, we have found evidence of the sisters working at H.M. Factory Gretna.
- Florence appears on the electoral role living in Annan. It could be possible that Ethel lived there too, although we have found no evidence of this. What do you think?
King George visiting H.M. Factory Gretna.
- Significantly, on the 18th May 1917, King George V & Queen Mary visited H.M. Factory Gretna in recognition of the factory’s exceptional performance.
- At this time both the sisters would have been working as munitions workers.
- It seems that Ethel was even presented to Queen Mary during their visit! [1]
- We can imagine that this must have been very exciting for Ethel and it would be lovely to think that Florence was one of the many munitions workers lining the streets for the royal visit, but alas, we cannot know for sure…
May McIver presents Queen Mary with a bouquet of flowers.
Ethel’s Marriage
- Next we catch up with the sisters in 1st August 1917 at Ethel’s wedding.
- Apparently, Ethel married Private Frederick Charles Dobinson of the Durham Light Infantry at St Andrew’s Church in Penrith. [5]
- Strikingly, Ethel and Frederick both worked at H.M. Factory Gretna. Do you think that they could have met through their work there?
- According to the local newspaper:
“The bride [Ethel] has for a considerable time been employed at the Gretna factory, and a few months ago had the honour of being presented to the Queen during their Majesties northern tour. The bridegroom has seen service in France, and is now working at munitions factory.”
– Penrith Observer, Tuesday 7th August 1917.
(Although, described in the article as the “Gretna factory” the actual nine-mile rural site, stretched from Longtown in England to Dornock in Scotland. The two vital townships of Gretna and Eastriggs were constructed to house and support the influx of people who came to the area to work at the factory and did not exist prior to this. Perhaps it is possible that this newspaper article and indeed the authorities at the time did not want to give away H.M. Factory Gretna’s exact location! What do you think?)
Ethel Mary Tinkler. This photo is from Ancestry Public Members tree.
- Notably, it seems that Ethel was well-liked at the factory.
- Not only did she have the honour of being chosen to present to the Queen, but she received a gift from the munitions workers she worked with.
“Among the many presents was a silver tea service from the girls at the factory, bearing the inscription: ‘Presented to Miss Tinkler by fellow workers and staff on the occasion of her marriage, August 1st 1917.”
– Penrith Observer, Tuesday 7th August 1917.
- Meanwhile, Florence was a bridesmaid at the wedding, not to be left out she would soon be in newspaper for much less agreeable reasons.
Florence’s Matches
- Munitions workers were searched on their way in (and out) of the factory site by members of the Women’s Police Force.
- Importantly, this would stop munitions workers bringing in any contraband, which could potentially trigger an explosion in their dangerous work environment.
- Contraband included metal items, such as knitting needles, hairpins, buttons and matches, as described in The Regulations Governing Employment for the factory:
“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. [3]
- If any munitions workers were found with these items they would be confiscated (there’s even a record of metal buttons being cut off a munitions worker’s corset at the factory!) and the worker fined.
Florence Tinkler. This photo is from Ancestry Public Members tree.
- Unfortunately, it seems that Florence fell foul of this rule.
- She was caught bringing matches into the factory!
- As a consequence:
“Florence Tinkler, munition factory worker, 41 Johnstone Street, Annan, was fined £2. 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.[2]
- Although, it may seem dangerous to bring matches into a munitions factory, it did happen!
- Another, example is Reginald Ezra Parry, who plead guiltily to having matches inside the factory fence. [4]
- According to The Bank of England’s inflation calculator’s estimate, Florence’s £2 fine in 1917 could have been equivalent to around £120.67, as of July 2025. [6] What do you think of this?
Later Life
- Following this, we know that Florence had a daughter in 1921.
- According to the 1939 census Florence was living her daughter and parents in Penrith.
- At this time Florence was employed as a domestic servant.
- Meanwhile, Edith was living in Durham.
- Her husband, Frederick was and electrician and they had three children, one of which was born in 1918.
- In May 1975, Edith died in Durham.
- In March 1985 Florence died in Penrith.
Sources and Further Reading.
[1] A Penrith War Worker’s Wedding, Penrith Observer newspaper, Tuesday 7th August 1917. [2]Dumfries Workers Court, Use of Matches, Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, 8th December 1917. [3] The Regulations Governing Employment for H.M. Factory Gretna.[4] Worker of the Week: Reginald Ezra Parry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/reginaldezraparry
Ethel Mary Tinckler photo source: Ancestry, public member tree.
Florence Tinkler photo source: Ancestry, public member tree.
Read Ethel Mary Tinkler’s online database entry by clicking here>
Read Florence Tinkler’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>
