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An illustrated talk: An Accident Waiting to Happen? The Whittall Street Explosion of 1859

I

Ian Binnie

knowlegable brummie
Kings Heath Local History Society

present an illustrated talk

An Accident Waiting to Happen? The Whittall Street Explosion of 1859
Wednesday 21st May, 7.15 to 8.45​

On 27th September 1859 an explosion at a percussion cap factory on Whittall Street in the heart of Birmingham's gun quarter resulted in the deaths of 19 people; all but one of them girls and young women. It wasn't the first such accident, although it was the deadliest, and it lead to an Act of Parliament designed to improve safety in the industry. Newspaper reports, inquest documents, burial registers and other archive documents help tell the story of that fateful day. Discover more about the lives of these young munition workers and some of the heroes and villains of the tragedy too.



Liz Palmer of Greenhill Genealogy, worked for several years at Birmingham Archives and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies from the University of Strathclyde. She is member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists and as well as undertaking individual commissions has worked on several community history projects including Birmingham Children of War for the Friends of Birmingham Archives and Heritage. Currently she combines genealogy and history pursuits with a part-time role of administrator with a local bereavement charity.



At the Community Centre, Heathfield Road, B147DB

Members are free. Visitors pay £3.00. Light refreshments are available for a small charge.​
 
There is a Thread on PURSALL AND PHILLIPS WHITTALL STREET here…and the start of the story of the infamous George Kynoch…

Astoness

Thread 'PURSALL AND PHILLIPS WHITTALL STREET'

a very sad reminder of just how dangerous the munitions business was.. made even more tragic by the ages of these very young girls who lost their lives..some no more than babies...if anyone could provide a map highlighting where this factory was that would be great

lyn

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  • Appreciate
 
Interesting title to the talk, “An Accident Waiting to Happen.” They would move to Witton and wait for many more explosions.
 
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