Gloucester is set to honour the bravery of the “Canary Girls,” women who risked their lives working in a dangerous munitions factory in Quedgeley during World War I, through the installation of information boards near the former factory site.
The term “Canary Girls” refers to the British women employed in munitions factories during both world wars, who earned their nickname due to the toxic effects of chemicals like phosphorus used in TNT production—causing their skin to turn yellow, much like a canary.
The factory, located on the current Kingsway site (formerly Naas Lane Farm), was requisitioned in 1914 to become National Filling Factory Number Five. Over the course of the war, it produced over 10.5 million 14" and 16" shells, 7 million cartridges, 23 million fuses, and other components crucial to the war effort. The predominantly female workforce filled these munitions under hazardous conditions. Additionally, the site housed a horse convalescence unit. The factory closed shortly after the armistice in November 1918, with its buildings later demolished between 1924 and 1926.
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The women’s exposure to phosphorus resulted in toxic jaundice that turned their skin yellow, a painful and deadly condition. Many suffered lifelong health effects, and some lost their lives, though exact numbers remain unknown. Local councillor Andy Lewis expressed sadness upon learning about the women’s sacrifices and the dangers they faced without proper protective gear.
Gloucester City Council had initially considered erecting a statue to honour the Canary Girls, but the cost was deemed prohibitive. Instead, they will install educational boards and plaques to share their story. Councillor Lewis highlighted the need for a dedicated narrative, proposing a walkthrough from the factory’s main gates past where the nissen huts once stood near Tesco. These boards aim to educate the public about the vital and risky work these women performed without masks or adequate safety measures.
Planning cabinet member Sarah Sawyer announced plans to collaborate with Quedgeley Town Council to determine the best locations and designs for the memorial boards. She also revealed that the council leader will send a letter of support to the Canary Girls Memorial Project, recognising Gloucester’s significant wartime contributions.
Council leader Jeremy Hilton, along with other councillors, admitted their prior lack of knowledge about the Canary Girls and praised the scrutiny group’s report for raising awareness. Councillor Caroline Courtney described the findings as a vivid account of the workers' dangerous conditions, noting that protective clothing was not fireproof due to budget constraints—an alarming revelation.
While no explosion-related deaths were recorded at the Quedgeley site, the long-term health effects on the women remain a somber legacy. The new memorial boards will ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten, educating future generations about these courageous women and their vital role in the war effort.