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 massive thank you to all our research volunteers for making this possible.
This week’s Worker of the Week is Isabelle Kennedy, who was involved in a corn beef theft at Gretna shop during her time working at the factory.
Early Life
- On 29th December 1899 Isabella was born in Workington, Cumberland.
- Her parents were James and Margaret Jane [Jean] Kennedy.
- Isabella was the 2nd of 11 children.
Photo of Isabella Kennedy from Ancestry Public Member Tree.
- According to the 1901 census, the family were continuing to live in Workington and her father was working as a driver fireman at a steel works.
- After this, the 1911 census, shows them still be living in Workington, although they have changed address.
- Next in 1912, Isabella was enrolled to Workington Higher Standard Girls’ School.
H.M. Factory Gretna
- Although we don’t know exactly when Isabella started working at H.M. Factory Gretna, we know she must have been working there in February 1917.
- Why? Well, according to the local newspaper she was involved in a theft from a shop in Gretna. [1]
- One Sunday afternoon, a group of munitions workers from the factory blew out the light in the Gretna “fried fish” shop. [1]
- The next day, shop owner, Baldi Toni, found several items missing from his shop stock. These were:
- 9 cheese plates;
- 2 cans of corned beef;
- 6 boxes honey;
- and 3 bottles of Worcester sauce.
- Isabella was accused alongside a group of five factory workers who all plead guilty according to the local newspaper.
- Consequently:
“The accused were charged with theft, and they all admitted it. Mr I. F. Edgar, solicitor, made a statement on behalf of the accused, and the Sheriff deferred sentence until May.”
– The Dumfries and Galloway Standard, Wednesday 21st February 1917. [1]
- Previously, we’ve touched on this theft in more detail in Minnie Turnbull’s Worker of the Week blog (you can find the link to this at the end of this blog post if you would like to read more.) [2]
Further Travels and Life After the Factory
- Later, by the 1921 census, Isabelle was living in Bolton, Lancashire.
- Following this, in 1933 she emigrated to Canada.
- It was here, in Ontario on 9th October 1937, that she married Thomas David Allingham.
- At this point, Isabelle was working as a nurse.
- Lastly, 21st March 1959, Isabelle died in Ontario, Canada.
Sources and Further Reading
- ‘Thefts BY GRETNA GIRLS,’ ‘The Dumfries and Galloway Standard newspaper, Wednesday 21st February 1917.
- Worker of the Week: Minnie Turnbull – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/worker-of-the-week-minnie-turnbull
Photo source: Ancestry Public Member Tree.
Read Isabella Kennedy’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 will 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>
