West Lodge

AndyScott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This is the gatehouse at the entrance to the factory where the daytime workers checked in at 6.00 a.m. and were searched for matches and other prohibited items. If any were found they were sent home. They would then change their boots or put on special over-boots which were made with wooden pegs. This is a photo of one of those boots and the pegs used.

After this they changed out of their ordinary clothing into ‘Powder Kit’ provided by the Company. This was made of hard wearing denim and had no pockets, turnups or buttons.

They were then given a brass token. In case of an explosion casualties involved could be identified by the tokens that had not been returned.

The tokens given to the mill workers. Source: Andrew Norris