The FOBLC is a voluntary group which promotes the conservation and appreciation of the Brockley & Ladywell cemeteries as places of remembrance, historic importance & natural beauty. The FoBLC is recognised by HMRC as a charity, ref. XT38745, and is a member of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends
Wildflower & Nature Walk Sunday 21st April 2024 led by Tom Moulton & Peter Robinson
There will be a Wildflower and Nature Walk Sunday 21st April 2024 led by Tom
Moulton and Peter Robinson. Meet at the Ladywell Road Gate, the guided walk is
free and will run from 10.30am to Midday. Come and discover the many plants,
birds and butterflies with our experienced and knowledgeable guides in our
lovely cemeteries
Cuckooflower and Lesser Celendine
Mike Guilfoyle commemorative bench
ILLUSTRIOUS LADIES TOUR, SATURDAY 9th MARCH 2pm
The Illustrious Ladies Tour on Saturday 9th March, led by Jane Hart, ties in with International Women’s Day, and will explore the lives of some of the women commemorated in the two cemeteries.
Meet 2pm at the Ladywell gate for this free tour which will be very informative.
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| Josie Kennett Bletchley Park code-breaker |
The 1924 Slade Green Factory Explosion
On Monday February the 18th 1924, 12 young women and girls and one male foreman, Edward Jones of Dalmain Road, Forest Hill, were killed while dismantling Verey Light cartridges on Slades Green Marshes.
The factory of W V Gilbert had been contracted by the Government to dismantle and empty Verey Light cartridges, which were used during World War I by soldiers in the trenches to send signals and light up No Man’s Land between the opposing trenches. The work entailed opening the cartridges with a brass tool, emptying the explosive, which the girls called the powder, this was then pushed through a hatch into a separate part of the shed.
On Monday the 18th February 1924, 26 girls and Edward started work at 8am, a new girl started that day and was being shown how to dismantle the cartridges.
At around 8.45am a cartridge ignited, there was a flash and stars were shooting around the shed, the stars were the flares that illuminated the trenches, a fire started and a fireball ran down the benches, burning the girls as they sat there, 7 of the girls were burnt beyond recognition, My Aunt Amelia Smith (Polly) was one of them. The girls were recognised by family members by the necklaces they wore or items of clothing.
A few of the girls managed to escape, and foreman Edward Jones returned to the building to rescue the girls and died in the process. One witness said the foreman Edward Jones, tried to lift one of the girls through the window but the heat and the smoke was too great and he fell back. Another manager opened one of the doors and he saw a girl on fire, he pulled her out, and she was taken to Erith hospital, her injuries were so severe she died the next day.
The Crayford Fire Brigade were the first to attend the fire and worked bravely and efficiently to put out the fire preventing it from spreading to the Thames Munition which was next door.
On the 18th February 2024 at 3pm there is to be a Memorial Service at St Augustine’s Church, Slade Green to mark 100 years since the disaster.
The Victims of the Disaster were:
Alice Mary Craddock (18) Arthur Street, Erith
Doris Winifred Sturtivant (22) Manor Road, Erith
Rene Annie Turtle (22) West Street, Erith
Edith Louise Lamb (23) Upper Road, Belvedere
Alice Maud Harvey (17) Arthur Street, Erith
Gladys Constance Herbert (23) Friday Road, Erith
Alice Sweeny (16) St Francis Road, Erith
Stella Huntley (19) Oxford Terrace, West Street, Erith
Elizabeth Caroline Dalton (25) 18, Lewis Road, Welling
Amelia Mary Smith (Polly) (18) 52, Boundary Street, Erith
Ethel Louisa Pullen (Topsy) (18) 47, Bexley Road, Erith
Edna Allen (17) Alexandra Road, Erith
Edward Jones (29) 52, Dalmain Road, Forest Hill
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| Picture of the girls was taken in December 1923, two months before the disaster |
I am trying to trace the relatives of the victims to invite them to the Memorial Service. I think it important that these girls and their foreman are not forgotten and are remembered for the sacrifice they made. To date I have been unable to trace any relatives of Edward Jones. Edward is interred in Ladywell cemetery. Plot number No C/1567 in a common grave with 14 others.
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| News Cutting, of their Forman. Edward James Jones |
Words By Mike Smith
Mick Martin and Phill Barnes-Warden, will be attending the memorial Service, There will be 13 candles at the altar, during the ceromony the names will be read out, and a candle lit to each. Mick will light one in memory of Edward James Jones
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2023 REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENT SUNDAY 12th NOVEMBER 10.55am – 12.15pm approx
REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENT SUNDAY 12th NOVEMBER 10.55am – 12.15pm approx
Meet at the Ladywell Cemetery Cross of Sacrifice
Following the 2 minute silence: Wreath laying at the Cross of Sacrifice, Ladywell Cemetery
Walk to the Brockley War Memorial via three relevant memorials
Wreath laying at the Brockley Cemetery War Memorial.
Join us for all or part of the event. All welcome.
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