The story of a Gloucester Canary girl who returned from New York to Gloucestershire and worked in a World War I munitions factory has been shared by her granddaughter, shedding light on the sacrifices of the women who powered the war effort.
During both world wars, British women employed in munitions factories were dubbed “Canary Girls” because of the yellow tint their skin developed from exposure to toxic chemicals, particularly phosphorus used in TNT. In Gloucester, the now-demolished munitions factory at Quedgeley played a significant role in this history.
The site, originally Naas Lane Farm and now known as Kingsway, was requisitioned by compulsory purchase in 1914 for National Filling Factory Number Five. It later became an RAF site before closing in 1995. During its prime, the factory produced over 10.5 million 14- and 16-inch shells, 7 million cartridges, and 23 million fuses and other components. It also housed a horse convalescence unit, supporting the war effort beyond mere manufacturing.
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The predominantly female workforce diligently filled millions of shells and cartridges until operations ceased with the 1918 armistice. Many of these women developed toxic jaundice from phosphorus exposure, which turned their skin yellow and tragically shortened countless lives.
Gloucester City Council is now seeking ways to honor the bravery and contributions of these Canary Girls. Diana Simon, granddaughter of Elizabeth Niblett (née Etheridge), one such Canary Girl, has proposed fitting tributes such as a stained glass window, a mosaic wall, or a suspended flock of yellow birds symbolizing the women’s spirit and sacrifice.
Elizabeth Niblett was born in 1872 near Westbury-on-Severn and spent part of her youth in New York City, in Brooklyn, before returning to Gloucestershire. After resuming life in England, she worked in domestic service before marrying Alfred George Niblett. By 1905, the couple had settled at 35 Station Road, Gloucester, where they raised four children.
When WWI erupted, Elizabeth was determined to contribute. “Money was tight, so when the munitions factory opened in Quedgeley, she was keen to do her bit to support the men fighting overseas,” Diana notes. Trains ran from Gloucester to Quedgeley, enabling these “flightless Gloucester Canaries” to commute daily.
Remarkably, Elizabeth appeared to avoid the typical poisonous yellow pigmentation, living to 72—an impressive age for a woman of her time and circumstances. Reflecting on the proposed memorial, Diana suggests that a statue might no longer be suitable or practical. Instead, something light and feminine, like a stained glass installation or a mosaic, would capture the essence of these extraordinary women who balanced strenuous labor with unspoken struggles.
Gloucestershire’s vibrant arts community could even host a competition to invite young artists and students to create this homage, ensuring the memory of the Canary Girls inspires future generations.
If you have a relative who worked at the Quedgeley munitions factory and would like to share their story, please get in touch via [email protected].