Barnbow Lasses honoured at commemorative Leeds street sign unveiling
Barnbow Lasses honoured: Charlotte Fox, Edith Levitt, Eleanor Beckett, Eliza Grant, Elizabeth Mason, Elizabeth West, Emily Sedgwick, Florence Whitley, Kate Bainbridge, Kathleen Eastment, Katie Chapman, Martha Alderson, Mary Carter, Mary Gibson and Mary Schofield
Families of women who worked at the Barnbow munitions factory during the First World War gathered to see their relatives honoured through the unveiling of new street signs bearing their names.
The ceremony at Redrow’s Centurion Fields development on Manston Lane - around half a mile from the historic factory site - follows a successful public appeal by the housebuilder to trace descendants of the Barnbow Lasses to ensure family members could take part in the tribute.
Known as Filling Factory No.1 during the First World War, the factory employed more than 9,000 workers, the majority of whom were women, producing munitions under difficult and often dangerous conditions.
On December 5, 1916, 35 women lost their lives in a devastating explosion at the factory. Many others were injured, although the full extent of casualties was never officially recorded because of wartime restrictions on reporting. Despite the tragedy, production resumed shortly afterwards, highlighting the determination and resilience of those who worked there.
As part of a lasting tribute, streets at Centurion Fields have been named after 15 women connected to the disaster.
During the event, five of those street signs were formally unveiled in the presence of descendants, local historians and invited guests. The other 10 street name plates are already in place on the development.
The event programme will include a short history of Barnbow presented by the East Leeds History & Archaeological Society, the unveiling of five street signs, a dedication to the women by former councillor Pauleen Grahame and an exhibition of photographs and artefacts connected to the site's history.