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The Great War Centenary 1917 - Exhibition Boomtown - From Front Line to White Lund How Did People React?
Although the works were ‘officially’ a secret, local residents were
well aware of what was being produced at White Lund. When the explosions
started, around 10.30pm on 1st October, some people thought it was a
German Zeppelin airship bombing raid. Others, no doubt, guessed the real
source.
Although many munitions workers were paid two weeks’ wages and
encouraged to leave for home or for other works, some must have stayed
in the area. The local paper, on 28th October, said: St Mary’s National School (Lancaster) records in its log book that ‘Plate glass windows [are] smashed to atoms’ but, miraculously, on 2nd October ‘Only slight damage in school, 4 broken windows, + 3 falls of plaster. No school all day. Terrible explosion hourly expected, town deserted. Explosions at intervals all day and night.’ Skerton Council School’s log books show more damage: Sightseers & souvenir hunters ‘The Lancaster Observer mentions sightseers ‘engaged in the task of picking up souvenirs’ soon after site was secured. The museum has a number of pieces of shrapnel found and saved by local people. There may be much more still in the hands of local families. Nervous disposition Local stories have emerged in newspaper reports and in interviews held in the Elizabeth Roberts Archive:- ‘I always remember when the White Lund explosion blew up. Mother was working at the Projectile Factory on nights and he [Archie] was supposed to be looking after us because he was the eldest. There were three loud bangs come at our door in the bedroom and I shouted “Give up Archie don’t act so daft.” I thought it was him playing the fool and it was the first three explosions of White Lund and we landed at [walked to] Caton Institute. Mother had to come looking for us the day after.’
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© 2017 Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum