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The Great War Centenary - 1917

From Front Line to White Lund

Gallantry Awards made following the Explosion at Number 13 National Filling Factory

The White Lund Munitions Explosion took place on the evening of the 1st October 1917, the cause was never established, but 10 men were killed, mainly those involved in the fighting of the fire. Whilst the explosion itself was felt as far away as Burnley, shrapnel travelled as far as Quernmore and Scotforth, and windows in both Morecambe and Lancaster were blown in.

The Silver Edward Medal

Two versions of the Edward Medal, introduced in 1907, were awarded for bravery in “Mines” and “Industry” with each type having a Silver and Bronze version. Of the 188 Industry medals awarded, only 25 Silver awards were made between 1907 and 1949 – four of which for the explosion in Morecambe. The medal is rarer that the Victoria Cross!

Four Silver Edward Medals were awarded, the awards being published in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 10th May 1918:

	Engine Driver Thomas Kew – who drove 29 ammunition trucks holding 250,000 live shells out of the danger zone. Read more about Thomas Kew and the presentation of his medal.
	Thomas Tatterstall – works fireman for bravery.
	Abraham Clark Graham – railway shunter for bravery. Read more about Abraham Clark
	Police Sergeant Thomas Coppard, for his part in rescuing several people from a blazing factory at which he was one of the police guards. Police Sergeant Thomas Coppard, was a retired detective inspector of the Hastings Police, as well as the medal he was later awarded, along with fireman Richard Taylor, a framed testimonial from the Society of the Preservation of Life in June 1919.

King’s Police Medal

King's Police Medals were awarded to the following, the awards being published in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 10th May 1918:

	Fred Brocklehurst
	William Bramwell Hodgson
	D’Arcy Benson Moffat
	Richard Newsham
	George Albert Oakes
	Alonzo Savage
	Daniel Devine Sloan
	William Andrew Wearing

The Medal of the Order of the British Empire

The bravery of others was also recognised with the Medal of the Order of the British Empire, this medal was awarded between 1917 and 1922 and replaced by the British Empire Medal:

	Mary Agnes Wilkinson – Telephonist Rendered invaluable service at a telephone exchange on the occasion of a fire and serious explosion at a munition works close by, proceeding to her post through the danger zone at grave personal risk. The award was published in the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 4th January 1918. Mary Wilkinson received her medal at Preston from Lord Shuttleworth, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, on Saturday 20th April 1918. The medal is now on display in Lancaster City Museum.
	John Caton – Boiler Attendant, Power House Remained on duty the whole time during a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory in spite of great danger.
	Alexander Chamberlain – Shift Engineer, Power House Displayed conspicuous courage and devotion to duty on the occasion of a very serious fire and explosion at a munition factory.
	Nurse Lily Cope – Factory Nursing Staff Behaved with great courage on the occasion of a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory, performing her duties quietly and without regard to personal safety.
	William Disberry – Pump Attendant Although 70 years of age, he remained at his fire pumps the whole night on the occasion of a severe explosion and fire at a national filling factory. The position was one of great danger throughout.
	Sergeant Richard Garth, Lancaster Fire Brigade Behaved with great gallantry on the occasion of a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory.
	William Heald, Feed Pump Attendant, Power House Remained on duty the whole time during a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory, in spite of great danger.
	George Hutchinson, Boiler Fireman, Power House Remained on duty the whole time during a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory in spite of great danger
	Jilbert Johnson, Works Constable Behaved with coolness and resource on the occasion of a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory.
	George Nutt, Boiler Attendant, Power House Remained on duty the whole time during a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory, in spite of great danger.
	William Seery, Works Constable Displayed courage and resource on the occasion of a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory. He was thrown down and injured by an explosion.
	Nurse Maisie J Shepherd, Factory Nursing Staff Behaved with great courage on the occasion of a severe fire and explosion at a national filling factory, performing her duties quietly and without regard to personal safety.
	Charles Taylor, Foreman. Displayed great coolness and courage in carrying out vitally important repairs on the occasion of a fire at a national filling factory whilst a large number of shells were exploding in the immediate neighbourhood.
	Richard Taylor, Fireman, Factory Fire Brigade Displayed great courage and resource on the occasion of a severe explosion at a national filling factory. Fireman Richard Taylor also received a framed testimonial from the Society of the Preservation of Life in June 1919

These awards, less that of Mary Wilkinson, were published in the supplement to the London Gazette of 3rd June 1918.

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.

Only a proportion of our collections are on display at anyone time. Certain items are on loan for display in other institutions. An appointment is required to consult any of our collections which are held in store.