A special Armistice Day service was held in Swynnerton on Thursday 11th November for the women who helped to keep Britain fighting during the Second World War.
Dubbed the Roses of Swynnerton, they worked at the old Royal Ordnance munitions factory, which was based in the village near Stone. Construction of the factory (officially Filling Station No 5) got under way in 1939 and it was operational by the summer of 1940.
It employed over 20,000 women, working night and day, filling shells and other armaments to make sure front-line troops were equipped.
Working at a munitions factory was one of the most dangerous jobs on the Home Front. Many workers suffered from skin allergies and breathing problems while explosions cost some their lives.
Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello and Bill Cash, MP for Stone, have both campaigned to get recognition for the efforts and sacrifices made by the Roses of Swynnerton. In 2009, a tree and a plaque were unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas in honour of the Swynnerton Roses.
The factory remained open until 1958 and the site is now an Army training base.
11 comments
Ian Davenport
Is their a fund where you can donate to the Roses of Swynnerton, or a contact number for a charity thats funding it?
Jamie Summerfield
Hi Ian. I think the details are on this website – https://www.munitionsworkers.com/
julie darcy
I have a large group photograph of women and their ‘May Queen’? at a munitions factory in Stoke on Trent. On the rear is the photographers mark ‘J Templeton, Stoke on Trent. My mother , Kathleen Sheard is seated on the right of the ‘Queen’. I have scanned the photograph and am happy to share this.
Margaret Smith
Hello –
My mother-in-law, Nellie Smith(née Goodwin) worked in the canteen at Swynnerton and met her husband, Maurice Smith there(he was an analytical chemist). This year Nellie will celebrate her 90th birthday and I would love to find anyone who knew her and/or has photographs of her from those days. A nicer woman you couldn’t wish to meet and I am sure she is typical of the selfless, dedicated women of those days. I applaud and thank you all.
– Margaret Smith
Jamie Summerfield
Hello Margaret. I hope you manage to track some photos down. I’ll put a news post on the site if that’s OK with you – it may help you in your hunt for photos! Could you send some more details about Mrs Smith and yourself, either here or to alittlebitofstone@gmail.com
Jacquie Evans
I would like to send my thoughts to all those who worked with my mum Janet Knight at Swynnerton. My mum told me stories of when they put detonators down their bras so they could do the work faster and how one of her friends was blown up when she was on duty but that she kept going to provide the ammunition for soldiers like my dad.
jamie7victor
Hi Jacquie – many thanks for your comment. What amazing stories! If you’d like to write a post for the blog about your mum, I’d be really happy to put it on the site. You can email me at alittlebitofstone@gmail.com if this is something you’d like to do. Thanks again
Jacquie Evans
Hello, both my sister and I would like to visit the site of the of the plaque at the National memorial Arboretum near Alrewas but unsure of where exactly it is located can you help please?
With regards to the blog can I get back to you on this. Thank you Jacquie
jamie7victor
Hi Jacquie – I’ll see what I can do! I’ll send you an email in the next few days. No problem re the blog – just an idea 🙂
Jacquie Evans
Thanks, have managed to obtain the location of the memorial and will be attending this weekend. Jacquie
Jamie Summerfield
Hi Jacquie – that’s great news. Well done! Jamie