A former munitions factory in Leeds has been designated as a scheduled monument.
Historic England writes:
The former First World War National Filling Factory in Barnbow, Leeds where 16,000 women were employed producing high-explosive shells has been protected as a scheduled monument by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England. This protection recognises and commemorates the national importance of the factory and means that proposed development around the site can now be managed carefully.
Three separate explosions happened at the factory, the most serious on 5 December 1916. Thirty five women were killed and many more seriously injured by a blast in one of the shell fusing rooms. It was the first major loss of female civilian workers during the war and the worst disaster resulting in loss of life in Leeds’ history. A further two were killed on 21 March 1917 and three men lost their lives in a blast on 31 March 1918.
Although the 1916 explosion was heard for miles around, the deaths of the women were not reported for fear of denting national morale and the recruitment of women. Even after the war the explosions remained largely unacknowledged. The women later became known as the ‘Barnbow lasses’ and have come to represent the Home Front contribution and the role women played in the war.
Heritage Minister, Tracey Crouch, said: ‘As we mark the centenary of the First World War, it’s so important that we remember the sacrifices of those who supported on the home front – especially women. The Barnbow Lasses played such a vital role in the war effort and by scheduling this factory, we continue to pay tribute to their contributions and sacrifices 100 years on.’
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said: ‘The First World War brought many tragedies. This one has not yet been fully recognised and commemorated. The death of the Barnbow lasses not only resonates today for the tragic loss of life but also represents the significant role played by women in winning the War. This led to a major national change in the perception of women at work. Barnbow is particularly poignant as the site of the worst disaster for loss of life in Leeds’ history and it is thanks to the local community that the memory of these remarkable women and their extraordinary courage has been kept alive. It is very fitting that it is now protected as a scheduled monument.’
