"The 1916 explosion at Faversham was the worst in the history of the British explosives industry. At 14:20 on Sunday 2 April 1916, a huge explosion ripped through the gunpowder mill at Uplees, near Faversham, when a store of 200 tons of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) was detonated following some empty sacks catching fire. The TNT and ammonium nitrate (used to manufacture amatol) had exploded. The weather might have contributed to the start of the fire. The previous month had been wet but had ended with a short dry spell so that by that weekend the weather was "glorious" ... providing perfect conditions for heat-generated combustion.
As it was a Sunday, no women were at work. There were 115 deaths of men and boys, including all the Works Fire Brigade, in the explosion and in subsequent sympathetic detonations. The bodies of seven victims were never found; 108 corpses were buried in a mass grave at Faversham Cemetery on 6 April.
The munitions factory was in a remote spot in the middle of the open marshes of North Kent, next to the Thames coastline, hence the explosion was heard across the Thames estuary and as far away as Norwich and Great Yarmouth. In Southend-on-Sea domestic windows and two large plate-glass shop windows were broken.
The East Kent Gazette published in Sittingbourne, did not report the explosion until 29 April. Although recognising the need for some censorship, it referred to the reply given in Parliament to an appropriate question as "mystifying and ambiguous" and called for the fullest precautions to be implemented to "prevent another calamity of the kind" occurring again.
Although not the first such disaster at Faversham’s historic munitions works, the April 1916 blast is recorded as "the worst ever in the history of the UK explosives industry", and yet the full picture is still somewhat confused. The reason for the fire is uncertain. And considering the quantity of explosive chemicals stored at the works — with one report indicating that a further 3,000 tons remained in nearby sheds unaffected — it is remarkable, and a tribute to those who struggled against the fire that so much of the nation's munitions were prevented from contributing further to the catastrophe.
The Secretary of State for War, Earl Kitchener, had written to the management of the CPC in 1914, and it is presumed the ELC, informing the workforce on: "the importance of the government work upon which they [were] engaged ..... I should like all engaged by your company to know that it is fully recognised that they, in carrying out the great work of supplying munitions of war, are doing their duty for their King and Country, equally with those who have joined the Army for active service in the field"."
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"The Dover Express, Friday 7th April 1916.
"POWDER WORKS EXPLOSIONS.- 200 CASUALTIES.-ACCIDENTAL FIRE IN A KENT FACTORY.
Press Bureau, Tuesday.
The Ministry of Munitions reports with great regret that during the week-end a serious fire broke out in a powder factory in Kent, which led to a series of explosions in the works.
The fire, which was purely accidental, was discovered at mid-day, and the last of the explosions took place shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon. Approximate number of casualties – 200.
The funeral of a number of victims of the explosions of the Kent powder factory took place on Thursday, all being buried in one large grave. The Archbishop of Canterbury conducted the committal service, and minsters of various denominations participated in the service. The Archbishop said that the relatives had died as bravely as our soldiers and sailors. There was a long procession from the town to the cemetery. Three volleys were fired over the grave, and the “Last Post” was sounded.
The victims include several people from the Dover district, among these being Mr. Sidney William Holbourn [aged 38], son of Mr. Edward Holbourn, of 24, Granville Street, Dover.
Another victim is Mr. W.E. Legge, who was one of the Deacons of the Eythorne Baptist Church.
Mr. Legge was held in high esteem in the district and great sorrow is manifest and deep sympathy felt for the widow and child. The funeral will take place at Eythorne on Saturday at 2 o’clock.
Mr. G.F. Robus, of Eythorne, is also among those who met their death by the Disaster, and he leaves a widow and three children. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robus of 24, Westbury Road, Dover."
{Other newspapers reported on their local losses to this explosion; workers were drawn from Dover to Tunbridge Wells, Ticehurst, Maidstone and further afield}
South Eastern Gazette, 8th April 1916:
"THE KENT EXPLOSION – RESULT OF A FIRE - TWO HUNDRED CASUALTIES. Not until Tuesday afternoon was any official announcement made of the home disaster which occurred on Sunday, particulars of which were known generally throughout Kent.
The announcement issued by the Press Bureau is as follows:-
"The Ministry of Munitions reports with great regret that during the week-end a serious fire broke out in a powder factory in Kent, which led to a series of explosions in the works.
The fire, which was purely accidental, was discovered at mid-day, and the last of the explosions took place shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon.
Approximate number of casualties 200"
FUNERAL OF VICTIMS.
The Archbishop of Canterbury took the Committal Service at the interment of some of the victims of the explosion. All were buried in one large grave. Clergymen of the Church of England, Ministers of Nonconformist Churches, and members of the Salvation Army took part. The Primate spoke of the bravery of the victims, who, he said, gave their lives for their friends, as but for their endeavour to limit the fire the loss of life would no doubt have been greater than it was. The ceremony concluded with the firing of three volleys and the sounding of the "Last Post."
Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 8th April 1916:
"THE TERRIBLE DISASTER OF SUNDAY. – POWDER FACTORY BLOWN UP. – TWO HUNDRED KILLED AND INJURED.
Not until Tuesday afternoon was any official announcement made of the home disaster which occurred on Sunday, particulars of which were known generally throughout Kent.
The following was issued by the Press Bureau, and is all that the newspapers will be allowed to publish respecting the calamity:-
“The Ministry of Munitions reports with great regret that during the week-end a serious fire broke out in a powder factory in Kent, which led to a series of explosions in the works.
The fire, which was purely accidental, was discovered at midday, and the last of the explosions took place shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon.
Approximate number of casualties 200.”
MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY FROM THE KING AND QUEEN.
The following letter has been sent by the King and Queen to Lord Harris, the Vice-Lieutenant of the County of Kent:-
Buckingham Palace,
April 4, 1916
The King and Queen were indeed deeply grieved to hear of the disastrous explosion at the powder factory, involving the loss of many valuable lives and injuries to several workmen. Their Majesties join in the universal sympathy which will be felt for those who have lost relatives and friends, and hope for an early restoration to health of those who have been injured.
The King appreciates the prompt manner in which the mayor and local staff rendered assistance to the sufferers.
Yours sincerely,
CLIVE WIGRAM.
FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS – ARCHBISHOP’S TRIBUTE TO THE DEATH.
The funeral of a number of victims of the explosions at the Kent Powder Factory took place yesterday, all being buries in one large grave. The Archbishop said the relatives had the consolation that these men had died as bravely as our soldiers and sailors.
There was a long procession from the town to the cemetery.
Three volleys were fired over the grave and the “Last Post” was sounded."
Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, a stern rebuke on 8th April 1916:
"TAKING MATCHES ON TO EXPLOSIVE WORKS. HARD CASE AGAINST A WORKMAN. – A BUFF FINED.
At the Faversham County Police Court on Friday in last week, before Mr. C. Cremer (in the chair) and Mr. E. Chambers, Ernest Hunt, an electrician’s mate, who is in the employ of a firm of contractors at the Harty Ferry extension works was charged with taking matches on to the Cotton Powder Co’s works contrary to the regulations on the previous day: Prisoner pleaded not guilty.
Lieutenant Chant, one of the managers, stated that about 3pm on the previous day he was on a certain part of the Harty Ferry extension works and had suspicion that prisoner and another man in a certain compartment were smoking. On entering he saw prisoner with a pipe in his mouth, but he denied smoking. He showed witness his pipe, which had burnt tobacco in it, and which in witness’s opinion had recently been lit. Witness took prisoner to P.C. Smith and he admitted having matches on him. Only certain foremen were allowed to have matches for lighting fires etc.
P.C. Smith stated that he searched prisoner and found a box containing eight matches. Prisoner told him that he wanted the matches to light his blow lamp and could not do without them.
Prisoner, on oath, stated that in his work he had to use a blow lamp for sweating wires to ensure contact. He considered matches part of his tools and they were kept in the tool chest. They were taken into the works before the notices were put up on December 31st. He had never taken any matches past the guard since the notices were put up.
William George, an electrician, corroborated and added that they were not supplied with any artificial ignition or informed where they could get their lamps lit.
The Chairman said the Bench felt it was a very difficult case to adjudicate upon. They were most anxious to help the company to carry out the regulations, but after hearing the evidence they could not but come to the conclusion that the matches were taken into the factory prior to December 31st when the notices were put up. It also seemed to them necessary for electricians to have matches for their work, and, therefore, they must dismiss the case, but they thought some means should be devised whereby workmen should have tools provided so that matches would not be necessary in their particular work.
Lieut. Chant stated he felt it was a hardship to prisoner and he was glad of the Court’s decision, but he was obliged to bring the case forward under the regulations. He might say they add they had made provision to meet the difficulty, and it was the fault of the contractors that the regulations had not been obeyed. Prisoner had an excellent character for work and he felt that he was carrying out his legitimate trade. Alfred Short, a private in the Supernumerary Company of the 4th Buffs, who had been working for the Explosive Loading Co. for about six months was charged with a similar offence. He pleaded not guilty.
William Bliss, time keeper, stated that at 7 o’clock that morning he saw the Explosive Loading Co’s lorry draw up full of men. He went out to search them and while doing so prisoner tried to get by. Witness asked him if he had got any matches, but got no response. While searching him he pulled out the box of matches produced from his right hand trousers pocket. Witness did not know that prisoner was deaf.
Prisoner stated that he did not hear witness ask him if he had any matches. When he began searching him he knew what he wanted and handed the matches to him. He had no intention of taking them onto the works.
In reply to Mr. Foley (foreman) prisoner said he told him that he forgot about the matches till he felt his pocket.
The Bench imposed a fine of £1 or seven days’.
Prisoner said he only got 6s. a week military pay.
Mr. Foley said they would not take him back at the works, but they could not stop him going on guard as the officer then became responsible.
The Bench gave prisoner a month to find the money.”
Dover Express, 28th April 1916:
Kent Messenger, 29th April 1916:
Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald on 27th May 1916
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An eye-witness account was published many years later in The Western Mail (Perth, Australia) in 1939 (Visit Link)