Lives of the First World War

During the First World War, His Majesty's Factory at Langwith in Derbyshire (near Mansfield) produced a chemical called ammonium perchlorate, which was mainly used in sea mines. Over 800 people worked at the 27 acre factory. There were two serious accidents at Langwith. On 20th November 1917 there was a fire in the grinding/milling house, and one of the three workers who were killed was found to have loose matches in his pocket. In March 1918 there was an explosion at the site. No evidence could be found for the cause, and three young women were killed in the incident. They were buried with full military honours. This community remembers those involved in those two tragic events, as well as other munition workers who worked at the facility.

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