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Gretna Hm Factory Eastriggs Factory, Acids Section, Acids Compound, Mannheim Oleum Plant Area, Buildings
Building(S) (First World War)
Site Name Gretna Hm Factory Eastriggs Factory, Acids Section, Acids Compound, Mannheim Oleum Plant Area, Buildings
Classification Building(S) (First World War)
Alternative Name(s) Hm Factory Gretna Site 3
Canmore ID 375336
Site Number NY26SW 38.59
NGR NY 24810 64989
NGR Description Centred NY 24810 64989
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/375336
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Dornock
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
Field Visit (26 January 2022)
Canmore ID 375336
Site Number NY26SW 38.59
NGR NY 24813 64986
Only faint traces can be seen of two buildings situated in dense deciduous scrub woodland in the vicinity of the Gas House (NY26SW 38.57) and the Laboratory (NY26SW 38.58) which served the Grillo and Mannhein Oleum Plants (NY26SW 36.1; NY26SW 38.2). The remains of the larger (NY 24813 64986) are situated about 3m NE of the Laboratory, while those of the smaller (NY 24776 64972) are situated about 12m to its SW. This is heavily covered in leaf mound but comprises a concrete platform with traces of a concrete wall on the ESE measuring 0.45m in thickness and up to 0.1m in height.
Both buildings are shown on a plan of works given in a Ministry of Munition Works report (MMW 1919, plan) held in the National Archives, Kew, outlining the processes involved in the manufacture of the cordite propellant during the First World War at H.M. Factory, Gretna (Site 3, Eastriggs).The buildings were rectangular on plan and measured respectively about 5.5m from WNW to ESE by 4.5m transversely and about 6m from NNE to SSW by 2.5m transversely. Their function is uncertain, but the smaller building is shown in a ground-based contemporary official photograph (MUN 5-297 pt5 710) taken after construction held in the National Archives at Kew. This indicates that it was a single storey, single bay, possibly brick-built, ridge roofed structure, with an off-set doorway in its WNW elevation.
Both buildings fell into lot 506, which was offered for sale by auction on 22-5 July 1924 (HM Treasury 1924, 100), when the lot was purchased by Messrs James Jackson & Co Ltd, St Vincent Street, Glasgow (Carlisle City Archives, DX 2040/3). After their removal from the site, only the foundation of the smaller building was left in place and this is readily visible on an aerial photograph (M124/13 04144) flown on 19 August 1940.
Visited by HES Heritage Recording (MMD and ATW), 26 January 2022
