Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

National Filling Factory Number 22 Gainsborough
Hob Uid: 1077819
Location : Lincolnshire West Lindsey Thonock
Grid Ref : SK8250093000
Summary : World War I Explosives Filling Factory, built in 1917, to fill naval `sinkers' with ammonium perchlorate for the admiralty. After the war munitions were broken down at the factory, which ceased in 1922. Foundations only are visible today.
More information : SK 825 930. National Filling Factory No.22 Gainsborough lay to the north east of Gainsborough on the railway line to Barnetby and north of Thonock sidings. Construction of the 143 acre (58 hectare) site began in November 1917. Its function was to fill naval `sinkers' and naval H2 mines with ammonium perchlorate for the admiralty. It employed 322 people 54.4% of whom were women. After the war the factory was engaged in breaking down redundant munitions but this work ceased around 1922 and the buildings and land were sold. The two standing buildings on the site are of a form more commonly associated with Second World War sites and may indicate reuse at this date. This may perhaps be identified as the Ordnance Support Unit (OSU) Gainsborough which closed around 1957. Most of the land is today in agricultural use, though traces of floor slabs remain. (1-1d)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : Wayne D Cocroft/18-FEB-1997/RCHME: Dangerous Energy Project
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Source Number : 1a
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Source details : HMSO, 1922, History of the Ministry of Munitions, vol VIII, part II, Control of Industrial Capacity, part II, The National Factories (63)
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Source Number : 1b
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Source details : Mrs Edlington, Gainsborough Researcher
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Source Number : 1c
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Source details : Mrs Arbon, Gainsborough and District Historical Association
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Source Number : 1d
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Source details : Hateley R K, 1992, Locomotives of the Ministry of Defence, Industrial Railway Society (8)
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1918
Monument Start Date : 1917
Monument Type : Filling Factory
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : AF1088584
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SK 89 SW 42
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Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1994-04-01
End Date : 1997-03-01

Historic England Research Records

National Filling Factory Number 22 Gainsborough