Women at War - the munition workers in WWI :talk
Pontefract Town Hall, 3 Bridge Street, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1PG
The illustrated talk describes the establishment of National Explosives and Filling Factories following the 'Shell Crisis' of 1915 and tells what led to the building of the Barnbow Munitions works, what it did, the women who worked there and how the artillery shells were manufactured and filled with explosives.
The central part of the talk is about the explosion of December 5th 1916 and its aftermath with the stories of some of those killed. The explosion killed 35 women and girls, including 2 from Pontefract, 5 from Castleford and 1 from Normanton.
The memorials to those killed are described, as well as similar disasters at other explosives factories, and the effect women's war work had on the eventual implementation of equal suffrage.
The end of production in 1918, the factory's closure in 1918, its eventual demolition and sale, and the site as it is today is also described along with a comparison with the similar World War Two works at Boston Spa.
Timings
- Saturday 12 September:
- 11:00
Location & directions
Pontefract Town Hall, 3 Bridge Street, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1PG
- Directions:
- The Town Hall is situated in the heart of Pontefract town centre.
- Contact on day:
- Eric Jackson
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking preferred
- Booking conditions:
- via Eventbrite or turn up on the day
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-at-war-the-munition-workers-in-wwi-talk-tickets-1994895510172?aff=erellivmlt
Accessibility details
Lifts are available to access the talk on the first floor.
Additional information
- Max number of people:
- 60
- Estimated duration:
- 1 hour(s)
