Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Acids Section, Building
Building (First World War)
Site Name Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Acids Section, Building
Classification Building (First World War)
Alternative Name(s) Hm Factory Gretna Site 3
Canmore ID 375155
Site Number NY26NW 46.35
NGR NY 24930 64849
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/375155
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Dornock
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
Field Visit (8 September 2022)
Canmore ID: 375155
NY26NW 46.35
NY 24930 64849
Nothing is now visible of a building which was situated close to the edge of dense deciduous scrub woodland on the N side of the road 135m E of Explosives Magazine R12 (NY26NW 46.12).
The building is shown on the plan of the works given with the report (MMW 1919, plan) describing the processes involved in the manufacture of the cordite propellant at H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 3). This factory was established by the Ministry of Munitions of War during the First World War. It was rectangular on plan and measured 18m from WNW to ESE by 6m transversely. It is also shown on an undated plan (SUPP 10-39) and a ground-based contemporary official photograph (MUN 5-297 pt5, 717) taken after construction, both of which are held in the National Archives at Kew. The photograph shows a single bay, single storey, ridged roofed building.
The foundations of this building fell between lots 507 and 508, which were offered for sale by auction on 22-5 July 1924 (HM Treasury 1924, 101). The lots were bought by Messrs James Jackson & Co Ltd, St Vincent Street, Glasgow and JM Temple, Blackhills, Eastriggs (Carlisle City Archives, DX 2040/3). After its removal from the site only the foundations were left in place. These are visible on an aerial photograph (M124/13 04117) flown on 19 August 1940.
Visited by HES Heritage Recording (MMD and ATW), 8 September 2022.
