National Shell Filling Factory Memorial
National Shell Filling Factory Memorial, War memorial in Broxtowe, England.
Description
This memorial features a concrete stepped pyramid with three tiers, topped by a short obelisk and encircled by white-painted shell casings linked by chains. The structure stands within Chetwynd Barracks and marks the site of one of World War I's largest munitions facilities.
History
The memorial was erected to honor 134 workers killed in a catastrophic explosion on July 1, 1918. The site had previously been Britain's largest munitions factory.
Culture
The memorial honors workers known as Chilwell Canaries, whose skin turned yellow from handling explosives during World War I. This visible mark became a badge of their dangerous work in ammunition production.
Practical
The memorial is located within Chetwynd Barracks on Chetwynd Road and is Grade II listed. Visits require advance permission due to active military operations at the site.
Did you know?
Workers continued filling ammunition at the site immediately after the devastating explosion, ultimately producing over 19 million shells throughout World War I. This output demonstrates the enormous industrial scale of the operation.
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