The Health of the Munition Worker

As part of The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Disability: Past and Present project, a new exhibition: ‘The Health of the Munition Worker: A Disability History of the World Wars on the Solway Military Coast’, will be on show from 1st November 2022 – 31st March 2023.

This exhibition sheds light on the untold story of disabled munitions workers. Some arrived in this area already disabled and declared unfit for war service, so sought to ‘do their bit’ for King and Country through munitions work. Others were left with lifelong disabilities and chronic illnesses because of their wartime work – limb loss, breathing difficulties and burns were amongst the common conditions. All, however, risked life and limb to aid the war effort in both global conflicts of the twentieth century. Their contribution has not been adequately recognised by historians and museums; this exhibition hopes to go some way towards changing this.

As well as exploring fascinating case studies you’ll get to sniff cordite – the smell of HM Factory Gretna – and even make some of your own as well. A new cartoon, The Three Bairns, created by FilmAble in response to our disability research, will be on display as well as an artwork by renowned textile artist Poppy Nash. You’ll also be able to buy a copy of our research book which delves further into the disability history of munitions workers, examining the evidence in detail and looking into more case studies of disabled and chronically ill employees of munitions factories across and beyond both World Wars.

There will be a series of talks and events throughout November relating to disability history. Find more about the exhibition and book your tickets here.