We had a friend, Sid Herbert, who worked in the Arsenal as a boy in WW1. According to this film there were 7700 lads working in there. He recalled seeing the big gun barrels being shaped under the hammers
back in the early eighties I did some work there and there was still a store of battleship gun barrels in one of dozens of warehouses. There was to much red tape and heavy work involved to dispose of them so it was easier just to leave them there gathering dust until the Arsenal was eventually closed
What immediately struck me about this film was the total lack of any safety clothing or other protection for the workers. Presumably injuries to workers were just regarded as the norm in those days. A most interesting film nonetheless.
My grandfather worked there at the start of WW1; then he was sent to the front. He survived.
Thanks for this interesting video. The historic footage is amazing.
Many thanks- fascinating film. I was born in Woolwich and lived there for the first 24 years of my life. The Royal Arsenal dominated the town.
We had a friend, Sid Herbert, who worked in the Arsenal as a boy in WW1. According to this film there were 7700 lads working in there. He recalled seeing the big gun barrels being shaped under the hammers
My dad used to work for the coop. There offices wer at Woolwich arsenal.
Brilliant Video, I'm from
Woolwich, thank you for uploading
Absolutely stunning. Fantastic local history.
Thank you for the film upload.
Interesting video, my Grandfather worked there from the early twenties untill the mid sixties after serving in the first world war.
back in the early eighties I did some work there and there was still a store of battleship gun barrels in one of dozens of warehouses. There was to much red tape and heavy work involved to dispose of them so it was easier just to leave them there gathering dust until the Arsenal was eventually closed
What immediately struck me about this film was the total lack of any safety clothing or other protection for the workers. Presumably injuries to workers were just regarded as the norm in those days. A most interesting film nonetheless.
Very interesting, and lovely narrow gauge footage. But do we know why there was a swastika at 5:44?
😄
Great upload!
My Great Grandfather Worked Here in 1885.
He was a Doctor.
Were Civilian Physicians
Allowed to Live at the Arsenal
As well as work there
The town where the greatest football club was founded have it all the gooners world wide
Thanks :)
Maybe don't miss the total war effort, Men, Women, Boys in factories, and munitions works
Rothschilds Ltd lol.