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 Herbert Sharp Greenough, who worked as a chemist at H.M. Factory Gretna.
Early Life
- On 23rd June1890, Herbert was born in Newcastle.
- His parents were Mary Hannah Sharp and Edwin Greenough.
- Sadly, Edwin, who worked a doctor, died when Herbert was very young.
- Following this, Mary and Hebert appear to have moved to the Eccleshill, Bradford, Yorkshire according to the 1901 census.
- Mary does not appear to have ever remarried.
Studies
- Herbert attended Edinburgh university, seemingly training as an analytical chemist.
- In 1884, he graduated university.
- Following that, he proceeded to work as an analyst in 1911.
Active Service
- On 13th February 1915, Herbert enlisted into the Army.
- In fact, his enlistment papers were one of a few that survived a fire.
- Firstly, he is in the 2nd Bradford Pals battalion, or as it officially know, the 18th (Service) Battalion, Prince of Wales West Yorkshire Regiment.
- Secondly, on 6th September 1915, Herbert was transferred to the Royal Engineers and sent to France.
- However, on the 13th September 1916 he was designated as a class “W” Army Reserve.
- In other words, his analytical chemist training was spotted and clearly in demand.
- The ministry of munitions needed chemists to help with the production of munitions.
- You’ll never guess were he worked next!
H.M. Factory Gretna workers would have been given an On War Service badge during their time working at the factory.
H.M. Factory Gretna
- Yes, Hebert was employed as a chemist working at H.M. Factory Gretna.
- Significantly, Herbert was far from the only chemist to be re-directed to work at the factory.
- One example is Cyril Callister who was sent to work at H.M. Factory Gretna after signing up to the Australian Imperial Force, but that’s far from the only one. [2]
Vancouver Road as shown in an Auction Book from 1924 (when the Factory and townships were sold).
- Of course, the rural site of H.M. Factory Gretna stretched all the way from Dornock in Scotland to Longtown in Scotland.
- Where exactly did Herbert work? Well, we think he worked in the Dornock section of H.M. Factory Gretna.
- During his time working there he lived in one of the two townships built to serve the factory, Eastriggs (the other being Gretna).
- More specifically the electoral roll lists him as living at “100 – 102 Vancouver Road.”
- According to the Factory Manual at the time Eastriggs provided for the “accommodation of those workers chiefly engaged on the Dornock section.” [3]
The electoral roll record in question.
Married Life
- In June 1920, Herbert married Christine Muriel Meredyth Renny in Horsforth, Leeds.
- Following this they seem to have had two children.
- In 1939 the family moved to Essex.
- At this point, Herbert was working as a Works Manager in Accumulator Manufacture.
- Lastly, Herbert died in Essex in December 1979.
Sources and Further Information
-
Bradford and the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, Bradford District Museum and Galleries – https://bradfordmuseums.org/bradford-and-the-battle-of-the-somme-1st-of-july-1916/
- Worker of the Week: Cyril Callister – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/cyrilcallister
- H.M. Factory Gretna Manual from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s archives.
Find Herbert Sharp Greenough’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>
