Clara Arnold and a Group of Fellow WW1 Munition Workers Visiting Thorncliffe in 1972
Eighty five year old former World War 1 munitions worker Clara Arnold came back for a visit to Thorncliffe from her home in Gomersal, West Yorkshire in 1972 and waiting for her were half a dozen former workmates from the Thorncliffe Factory Shell Shop. Clara spent a pleasant two hours strolling down memory lane with her former colleagues who she remembered well although her memory of the actual buildings was a bit more hazy.
The visit had been organised by Newton Chambers News who had heard of Clara's fondness for her days in the Shell Shop and appealed for her former colleagues to join her on the visit to the factory. Mrs Maud Hoyland of Tankersley, Mrs Pansy Yeardley, Mrs Lily Marsden of Hoyland Common, Mrs Amy Walker of Hoyland Common, Mr Cyril Brooke of Chapeltown and Mr Alf Steel of Chapeltown all answered the appeal and had a very enjoyable time reminiscing together. All were agreed that their former colleagues hadn't changed much despite the intervening years.
After the group were treated to tea in the Central Canteen they talked about their time in the Shell Shop when wages were 25 shillings a week for under 18s and 35 shillings a week for over 18s. They recalled long walks to and from work and the times that shell casings production were halted when Zeppelins hovered over South Yorkshire.
Clara summed up the feelings of all when she told Newton Chambers News that 'This is something I'll remember for the rest of my days: it's been lovely to see them all again.....'
Clara can be seen in the photo fourth on the right.
Image Details
| Archiving Reference Number | NC/039/a/P |
|---|---|
| Date | 1972 |
| Search Year | 1972 |
| Type | Photograph |
| Photographer/Artist | |
| Publisher | |
| Contributor/s | Mrs V. Whittingham |
| Area | |
| Collection Holder | C&HGA |
| Date Donated to the EDA | 1st March 2026 |
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