Worker of the Week: Wilfred Manson Edmondson.

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 to our research volunteers and Wilfred’s relative for kindly getting in touch with us. 

This week’s Worker of the Week, is Wilfred Manson Edmonson. 

Early Life

• Wilfred Manson Edmondson was born on 22nd January 1885.
• His parents were Alfred Edmondson and Mary Cunnington.
• Additionally, Wilfred was the oldest of six children.

 

• According to census records, Wilfred grew up living in Yorkshire, although the family did move to different towns in the region.

Marriage

• After this, our next record of Wilfred is his marriage.
• Seemingly, in 1913 in the Skipton District, William married Alice Dixon.

Time in the Army

• Next, on 12th August 1914 Wilfred enlisted into the Army according to his service record.
• Shortly after, on 23rd September 1914, Wilfred entered ‘the theatre of war’ and he served in the Amy Service Corps.
• Wilfred’s army service number was MS/1924.

 

• As Wilfred’s relative kindly took the time to share with us in an email:

“He was in the army from 1914-15 but was then dismissed as no longer physically fit for military service.”

• On 3rd January 1915, Wilfred was described as wounded, whilst his duty location was France and Flaunders.
• By the 12th July 1915, Wilfred was discharged from the army.
• The reason for his discharge is given on his service records as “permanently physically unfit.”
• Additionally, he is listed as being entitled to a “wounded stripe.”

H.M. Factory Gretna

• Although, we don’t know exactly when Wilfred started working at H.M. Factory Gretna a relative of his has kindly shared photos of him with some people who worked there in 1918. [1]
• As the relative took the time to share with us:

“Having visited the museum we realise that the reason Wilfred never spoke about his time at Gretna was that he would have had to sign the Official Secrets’ Act.”

• However, they have kindly shared with us some photos which features Wilfred with some of his colleagues from “April 1918,” which was taken in Frank Holbrook, Alexander Studios, Dumfries and Annan. [1]
• On the back of the picture was a list which includes the following names and occupations in addition to Wilfred:

1. W Falconer, foreman;
2. Tom Harris dips;
3. W D Macrae blower;
4. W Graunt foreman;
5. C Franks chargehand;
6. Reginald Keen (farmer) fireman;
7. J Simmons shift chemist;
8. J Scully charger;
9. And J Maxwell blower.

 

• Several of these were found by Wilfred’s relatives supposed to have found the Electoral Rolls as living in Eastriggs and working as munitions workers.
• For example, could the J Maxwell, blower be ‘Joseph Maxwell, munitions worker, C 4 Hostel, Eastriggs’  on the electoral roll, W Falconer, foreman be ‘William Falconer, munitions worker, F2, Eastriggs,’ or W D Macrae match up with ‘William Daniel Macrae, munitions worker Newfoundland House, Eastriggs.’
• Although it’s impossible to know for sure, it does seem likely to us. What do you think?

Life After World War One

• We know that Wilfred and Alice returned to Skipton by 1920, as their first child was born and sadly died there that same year.
• Following this, Alice and Wilfred must have moved to Conway Bay, Wales at some point prior to or at the start of 1923.
• They had a further two children while they lived there.

 

• Later, it seems that the family moved to Preston in Lancashire.
• This is where Alice died in 1954.
• At some point after this, Wilfred went to live with one of his children in Cornwall.

 

• On 10th May 1967 William died.
• Lastly, is buried in the church yard at St Martin by Looe Church, Cornwall.

 

Sources and Further Reading

1. Digital copy of photos kindly donated by Wilfred’s relative.
2. J Scully online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/j-scully
3. J Simmons online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/j-simmons
4. Reginald Keen online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/reginald-keen
5. C Franks online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/c-franks
6. William Daniel Macrae online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/william-macrae
7. Tom Harris online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/tom-harris
8. William Falconer online database entry – https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/hm-factory-gretna-workers-database/name/william-falconer

Find Wilfred Manson Edmonson’s online database entry here>

Do you have a relative who worked at H.M. Factory Gretna? We would love to hear from you! So far we have not come across a full list of factory workers and we’re always hoping to learn more. 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>