Lancashire - Ashton-under-Lyne: Hooley Hill Rubber and Chemical Works

The Hooley Hill Rubber and Chemical Works at Ashton-under-Lyne was engaged in the production of TNT for the war effort.  It caught fire and exploded on 13th June 1917 and was completely destroyed.  In total, 43 people from the immediate area, including schoolchildren, were killed and many more were left injured.

Irene Wall had been due to visit this factory as Investigator of Welfare, on the very day of the explosion, but was luckily unexpectedly prevented, or else she would have been in the works at the time the accident took place.

A sculpture in memory of all those who died in the explosion is in Henry Square, Ashton-under-Lyne.