Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Workshops Area

HM FACTORY GRETNA, SITE 3: EASTRIGGS

NY26NW 91 STORES AND WORKSHOPS

The Stores and Workshops (NY26NW 91) of the First World War National Factory, Gretna (Site 3: Eastriggs) were largely located to the W of the branch of the Glasgow and South Western railway which entered the site on the N (MMW 1919, 21-2). All these buildings were served by their own branch lines which delivered the raw materials to each of the specialist buildings. These included the Fitting and Electrical Shop (NY26NW 91.4), the Boiler, Smithy and Tinsmiths’ Shop (NY26NW 91.6), the Machine and Electricians’ Shop (NY26NW 91.7), two Pipe Shops (NY26NW 91.10 and NY26NW 91.13, one of which was also used as a foundry), the Paint Shop (NY26NW 91.12), the Plumbers’ (and Lead Burners’) Shop (NY26NW 91.15) and the Joiners’ Shop (NY26NW 91.17). In addition, there were two large General Stores (NY26NW 91.2 and NY26NW 91.3), two Store Yards (NY26NW 91.1 and NY26NW 91.24, with associated buildings), oil storage facilities (NY26NW 91.14 and NY26NW 91.20) and the Workshops’ Compound (NY26NW 91.21 and NY26NW 91.22).

The skilled craftsmen at these workshops served the whole of the H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 3: Eastriggs) and could supply up to 70,000 spare parts as required. It was important to the smooth running of the cordite paste production process that all repairs could be undertaken safely and efficiently.

There were other workshops situated E of the Saughhope Burn and elsewhere throughout the site (e.g. NY26NE 140.6, NY26NE 144, NY26NW 102-103), but these appear to have been devoted to more localised maintenance.

Information from HES Heritage Recording (MMD, ATW), 18 May 2023.