Government Cartridge Factories
Established by the Ministry of Munitions
- GCF 1 Blackheath
Opened: December 1916 Management: Birmingham Metal and Munitions Co Products: small arms ammunition .303in Mk.VII
- GCF 2 Woolwich
- GCF 3 Blackpole, Worcestershire.
Construction finished: February 1917. Opened: early 1917. Area: 67.25 acres. Management: Kings Norton Metal Co Ltd. Product: small arms ammunition.
The buildings were completed by February 1917. Initially the factory produced 7.62mm ammunition for the Russian Army but latterly was switched to .303 inch production. By August 1918 a total of 192 million .303 inch rounds had been produced. Initially the men in the skilled tool room were opposed to utilising female labour but eventually women and boys formed a significant part of the labour force. In October 1918 there were 3,235 employees of whom 76% were women.
After the war the factory was taken over by Cadbury’s and converted to producing chocolate bars.[1]
- GCF 4 Edmonton (Angel Road)
Construction finished: August 1916 on land owned by Great Eastern Railway Co.
Opened: May 1917.
Area: 13 acres.
Management: Eley Brothers.
Products: small arms ammunition - 7.62 mm.
Transferred to the Air Board for aero-engine repair work, early 1918
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ First World War National Factories; English Heritage
- Munitions Factories [1]