Frobisher Hall, Swynnerton

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Date:1945

Description:This group photograph could possible have been taken at a Victory party to celebrate the end of the 2nd World War, Nellie Kizis is 3rd from the left in the front row next to the stage.

Nellie Kizis was born in 1921 near Edinburgh. She worked at the canteen at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Swynnerton during the 2nd World War and was a resident at Humber House at Frobisher Hall, a hostel for workers at the factory during and just after the War.

Frobisher Hall was a hostel for workers at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Swynnerton during and just after the 2nd World War. Workers at R.O.F. Swynnerton, a high percentage of which were women, filled shells, bombs and other armaments, including 20mm shells for Spitfires, detonators, boosters and tracer shells. The work was unpleasant and dangerous and the explosive powder could turn skin and hair yellow. Even worse, a number of women lost fingers, hands or even limbs in explosions at the factory. 5,000 people started work in 1940, many of whom came up from Woolwich and the east end of London, housed in hostels built near the factory at Swynnerton, Yarnfield and Coldmeece. By 1942 the workforce had increased to 18,000, many of whom were recruited from the Potteries, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stone and other local towns and villages. New housing was built in Walton and Coldmeece to house the workers. The factory reduced in size after the war, but remained open until 1958.

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Image courtesy of: Mrs Gloria Rigg

Donor ref:(55/33431)

Source: Miscellaneous Collection

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