Exhibition Opens To Commemorate The Centenary Of The Low Moor Tragedy

Thursday, 18 August 2016 07:00

An exhibition commemorating the centenary of the devastating explosions at the Low Moor Munitions Company on 21 August 1916 will open at Bradford City Hall today.

The company produced Picric Acid to colour carpets, which was also a product of high explosives and was converted into a munitions factory on the outbreak of World War One and had been expanded to cope with demand.

The explosion on 21 August 1916 killed 40 and injured over 100. The first explosion sent up a huge cloud of smoke and was heard as far away as York.

Further explosions killed five of the 15 firemen and one of the three officers who had rushed to the scene from Bradford and Odsal.

The fire from the explosions spread to the nearby gas works where the gasometer exploded. Explosions continued for the rest of the day and the whole fire took three days to put out.

The explosions and subsequent fires completely destroyed the factory and the gas works and a neighbouring factory was badly damaged. Around 50 homes had to be demolished and a further 2,000 were damaged, three schools also had to close. Train lines were damaged, 30 railway carriages were destroyed and a further 100 were damaged.

Due to the war newspapers were not permitted to report the incident in detail. However word of mouth spread news of the explosions and thousands of people came to the funeral procession, to thank the firefighters who helped and to pay their respect to those who died.

The exhibition contains nine of the medals awarded by Bradford Council on behalf of the city, to the brave firefighters who attended the incident as well as the manager of the company, who led the works fire brigade but died as a result of the explosion. Also on display are items from the “Hayhurst” fire appliance which was destroyed in the incident and photographs.

Also on display is a figurine of one of the firefighters who attended the incident which was a gift from former Lord Mayor Coun Joanne Dodds commemorating her civic year. The figurine is a scaled down replica of a statue at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters which is dedicated to the firefighters who lost their lives at Low Moor.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Geoff Reid will open the exhibition which is due to be attended by the grandson of one of the firefighters, who is coming from Vancouver. Also attending will be Chief Fire Officer, Simon Pilling; Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Dave Walton; Chair of the Fire Authority Judith Hughes, Bradford Councillors and representatives from Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries Service and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Geoff Reid, said: “This is a fascinating exhibition commemorating the bravery of those firemen who put their lives on the line almost 100 years ago as do firefighters today. This tragedy is an event in Bradford’s history which should not be forgotten.”

Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling said: “We have created this centenary exhibition in tribute to the firemen who so tragically lost their lives in the line of duty 100 years ago.

“Their bravery was in the true honour of Fire Service tradition and their names live on as we remember the ultimate sacrifice they made that fateful day in their bid to save others.”

Anyone interested in seeing the exhibition can go to Bradford City Hall reception or take part in the Sneaky Peeks Tours of City Hall on Wednesdays 2-4pm until 7 September and Thursdays 1-3pm until 8 September.

More from Local and National News

City presents Windrush pioneer with prestigious Leeds Award

one of the nation’s last surviving HMT Empire Windrush passengers and the city’s only remaining Caribbean Second World War serviceman received the Leeds Award in a ceremony at the Civic Hall.
More Than 10,000 Arrests Made By Team Dedicated To Reducing Violent Crime

A specialist team working to reduce violent crime has started a New Year by passing a new milestone after making more than 10,000 arrests.
Plate expectations as historic registration could be up for sale

A unique gift exchanged by two former Lord Mayors of Leeds more than 120 years ago could be about to help the city with unprecedented budget challenges.
Calderdale: Celebrating over 350 years of service at Council

Fourteen Calderdale Council employees have been recognised for a combined total of over 350 years of service at an event at Halifax Town Hall on Thursday 26 October.
Activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage sentenced

A group of activists who caused £100,000 worth of damage to a service station on the M25 has been sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (27 October)
Appeal Following Collision and Death of Man in Otley, Leeds

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Leeds in which a man later died.
Vehicle involved in fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire seized by Bradford Council

A vehicle involved in multiple incidences of fly tipping across West and North Yorkshire has been seized by Bradford Council.
Anti-social behaviour funding boost in Clitheroe, Colne and Darwen

As part of the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour (ASB) Lancashire Constabulary and Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden have announced a further eight areas set to benefit from additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Lancashire.
Leeds City Council to launch review on taxi vehicle condition standards

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee is to embark on a review of vehicle condition standards for hackney and private hire vehicles, following updates to national guidance.
Man Named After Fatal Road Traffic Collision, Leeds Road, Bradford

Police have named the man who died after a road traffic collision on Leeds Road in Bradford last week.
Over £4,000 raised for Mental Health Charity in Bradford

Visitors to the stunning Van Gogh Alive UK exhibition in Bradford donated more than £4,000 to Mind in Bradford.
Bradford Clean Air Zone and the results of traffic flow monitoring

The Bradford Clean Air Zone has been live since September 2022 and is operating to improve air quality in the district by deterring the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone.

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

Bhangra Nights

Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm
Legal Show

Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.
Remix Saturdays

Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm
Alim OnAir

Have you a question about the religious, cultural or tradition aspect of Islam? Then join Hazrat Maulana Fazal Dad in the weekly show every Friday between 8-9pm.