A man is trying to track down the families of the 13 killed in a 1924 munitions factory explosion in Slade Green.

In an effort to commemorate 100 years since the munitions factory explosion, community member Mike Smith has embarked on a search for the victims’ families.

He is working to gather together the relatives of the victims of the incident in preparation for a memorial service for the centenary.

In February 1924, a fire engulfed a workspace hut after an explosion, killing 12 women, aged 16 to 24, and a male foreman who were disassembling Verey lights.

These lights were cartridge flares used for war signalling and illumination at night.

An annual memorial service has been held since 1996 but they were unfortunately halted due to the pandemic and the details of previous attendees have subsequently been lost.

Mike plans to restart the tradition and will run a service on February 18, 2024, at St Audustine's Church, Slade Green.

He said: “I think the girls and the foreman who died heroically trying to save them, should be recognised for the sacrifice they made. They died dismantling explosives and made an enormous contribution to the war effort.”

Mike also lost his aunt Amelia in the accident and told the BBC it made him "feel a bit sick" to think about what happened to his relation.

He was first told about her by his father, who at the age of 11 had been "taken out of school and told that his sister had died".

During the inquest, it was revealed that the individuals might have lost their vision due to the detonating cartridges, preventing them from finding their way out of the hut.

Edward Jones, the 29-year-old factory foreman from Forest Hill, died after attempting to rescue a girl by lifting her through a window – according to the BBC.

He succumbed to the intense heat and smoke, falling back into the building, as recounted by a witness.

Among the teenage workers, 17-year-old Edna Allen managed to escape the building and was transported to the hospital, but she succumbed to severe burns and passed away from her injuries later that night.

Mike reached out to Bexley's Local Studies and Archive Team who provided him with photographs and press clippings from the period.

Among these historical documents is an image showing the staff, including eight of the victims and five survivors.

The BBC gathered the list of the victim’s names, and they are as follows:

  • Alice Sweeny, 16, of St Francis Road, Erith
  • Edna Allen, 17, of Alexandra Road, Erith
  • Alice Harvey, 17, of Arthur Street, Erith
  • Alice Craddock, 18, of Arthur Street, Erith
  • Ethel Pullen, 18, of Bexley Road, Erith
  • Stella Huntley, 19, of Oxford Terrace, Erith
  • Amelia Smith (also known as Polly), 19, of Powell Street, Erith
  • Dorothy Sturtivent, 22 of Manor Road, Erith
  • Irene Turtle, 22, of West Street, Erith
  • Edith Lamb, 23, of Upper Road, Belvedere
  • Gladys Herbert, 23, of Friday Road, Erith (it had been her first day in the job)
  • Elizabeth Dalton, 24, of Lewis Road, Bexleyheath
  • Edward Jones, 29, of Dalmain Road, Forest Hill

For those interested in participating or learning more about the centenary commemoration, Mike can be contacted at mike.e.smith1966@gmail.com or on 07944 147011.