Gretna, Hm Factory, Eastriggs Explosives Factory, Nitroglycerine Compound, Platform

Canmore ID 374947

NY26SE 17.06

NY 26879 64185

This grass- and nettle-grown bank is slighted by the N corner of the bund of explosives magazine R54 (NY26NW 46.12) close to its SW end. It is rectangular on plan and measures at least 82m from NE to SW by 7m transversely. Immediately to its NW is a railway cutting 6.5m in breadth and 1.2m in depth.

This structure is not identified in a Ministry of Munition Works report (MMW 1919) outlining the processes involved in the manufacture of cordite propellant during the First World War at H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 3). However, an undated plan (SUPP 10-39) held in the National Archives at Kew indicates that this earthwork was a railway platform. Two buildings that were rectangular on plan and measured about 8m from NW to SE by 3m transversely were situated at either end. A possible shelter measuring 45m in length and 3.5m transversely was located at its centre. To the NW of the platform was a single gauge railway line, while to its SE ran two standard gauge railway lines. Another building measuring about 5m from NE to SW by 4m transversely lay further to their SE.

The Platform fell into lot 491, which was offered for sale by auction on 22-5 July 1924 (HM Treasury 1924, 89; Carlisle City Archives, DX 170/38), when it was purchased by Greenwood & Another of Broomhills, Eastriggs (Carlisle City Archives, DX 2040/3). The concrete foundations of the platform are shown on an aerial photograph (M124/13 04134) flown on 19 August 1940, but the three small buildings remain roofed. However, a later aerial photograph (CAM/031 06211) flown on the 13 October 1942, indicates that the explosive magazine R54 had been constructed and the remainder of the area was under grass.

Visited by HES Heritage Recording (MMD and ATW), 22 July 2022.