Project: Rotherwas Munitions Group

The Royal Ordnance Munitions Factory at Rotherwas, Hereford was one of a number of munitions factories set up by the Ministry of Munitions in WWI.

In excess of 12,000 women commonly referred to as the Canary Girls and a number of men have worked at the factory since the Ministry acquired the site in June 1916. Their crucial and hazardous role was vital in supplying arms to the front line for use on  land, sea and in the air. The factory had its own Fire Brigade and Police Force to ensure security and safety.

The Rotherwas Munitions Group was formed some three years ago to collate the names of former munitions employees at the Hereford based factory during both World Wars, and to commemorate The Group is working closely with the Herefordshire County Council and the Skylon Enterprise Board in developing a lasting memory to the Canary Girls within the Herefordshire Archive & Records Office, and has gained the benefit of Lottery Funding for the project. It is also intended to install a computerised display, for educational purposes, especially for school children, of the work processes and hardships endured by the Canary Girls during their dangerous but essential work processes. The displays will also provide the facility for research especially for relatives of former employees and dedicated genealogists.

A website is available at http://www.rotherwasmunitionshereford.co.uk  for anyone wishing to have their relatives, friends & associates recorded on the list referred to above.

Barrington Mayne