In 1856, George Kynoch joined Messrs. Pursall and Phillips, a percussion cap manufacturer located at Whiittall Street in central Birmingham. The specific role he assumed is uncertain, but it is noteworthy that Pursall acquired the company from Mr. Armstrong that same year.
In 1859, the Whittall Street factory was destroyed, resulting in the tragic loss of 19 lives, primarily among women and girls. The incident received extensive media coverage, detailing the explosion and subsequent rescue efforts. Notably, Messrs. Phillips and Mr. Pursall, who were present in the building at the time, escaped unharmed. However, George Kynoch’s involvement in the rescue attempts is not mentioned. It is worth noting that additional staff were mobilised to fulfil a request from the Turkish Government for 18 million caps !
The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that by September 1861, Pursall had acquired the lease of four acres of land at Witton in the parish of Handsworth, three miles northwest of Birmingham. The area was sparsely populated and was situated near the River Tame and the Grand Junction Railway, making it an ideal location for this rapidly expanding industry.
