THE  DOVER WAR MEMORIAL  PROJECT

Faversham Munitions Workers

On 2 April 1916 an explosion at the munitions factory on the marshes at Uplees near Faversham killed over a hundred people. The accident, number 110/1916, involved an explosion of tri-nitro-tolvol and ammonium nitrate at factory number 7, at the (Explosives) Loading Company Ltd. It was triggered by some empty TNT bags stored against the wooden walls of building number 833 which had caught fire. The works manual fire engine, called out by assistant manager, Mr Palowkar, fought valiantly but was unable to prevent the disaster, although it did not spread to a further several thousand tons of TNT in adjoining areas

Sadly, according to a response to a query, it would appear that many of those killed were spectating workers, remaining despite having been told to clear the site. Not all lived locally,  and some had travelled some distance from their home towns for employment. We have so far discovered three from Dover - but there may be more

The Uplees sites are now derelict.

Loading area, the Swale channel and Isle of Sheppey in the background