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 despatch Rider.[1]
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>
