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The Silvertown explosion - 19 January 1917
The Silvertown explosion - 19 January 1917
On 19 January 1917 at around 7 pm, a massive explosion tore through a former chemical works that had been converted to a TNT factory in London's East End. Shockwaves from the explosion at the former Brunner Mond & Co works were reported in Essex, and the blast was heard in Kent, Southampton and Norwich. Part of the factory was destroyed, as were several nearby streets. The force of the explosion showered molten metal for several miles. Between 60,000 and 70,000 buildings were damaged, including docks, warehouses, factories and a gasometer, which exploded, creating a massive fireball. The repair bill totalled some £0.25 million and the blast destroyed or badly damaged around 900 homes, leaving thousands homeless. 73 people were killed, including firemen from the nearby station, dockers, Brunner Mond employees and children asleep in their beds. More than 400 people were injured, 94 seriously. This community remembers the dead and injured (identified from inquest and other newspaper reports), those who had a lucky escape and those who served with the emergency services. Please do add further information if you can. For more details on the explosion, see the Museum of London's video at: http://blog.museumoflondon.org.uk/silvertown-disaster-1917/
Created by: , Ann39898
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Born 1877
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Chief Chemist Brunner Mond Chemical Works
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Born 1887
Other Empire Force Munition Worker Brunner Mond Chemical Works
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Born 1857
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
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Born 1869
Died 1959
Other Empire Force Fireman West Ham Fire Brigade
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Born 1889
Died 1958
Other Empire Force Captain Salvation Army
More about William Manson -
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Born 1856
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Watchman Civilian war death Brunner Mond Chemical Works
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Born 1883
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
More about Frederick Gustav Craft -
Born 1876
Died 1917
British Army G8839 Private Royal West Surrey Regiment 9th queen's (royal west Battalion
British Army 6720 Private 2/5th Bedford Regiment
More about Albert Edward Robert Tyzack -
Born 1848
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Watchman Civilian war death Brunner Mond Chemical Works
More about David Earl Taylor -
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Born 1890
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian War Death Brunner Mond Chemical Works
More about Walter Frederick Ward Mauger -
Born 1907
Died 1917
Other Empire Force Civilian war death
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Born 1872
Died 1917
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Born 1903
Died 1917
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Born 1913
Died 1917
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Born 1858
Died 1917
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Born 1907
Died 1917
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Born 1895
Died 1917
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