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The South Yorkshire steel industry grew massively during WW1, drawing thousands of women into wartime work. The National Projectile Factory at Templeborough was one of many set up across the country in the wake of the 鈥渟hell scandal鈥� of 1915.

An acute shortage of munitions had led to rationing of artillery leaving soldiers mown down by a seemingly endless supply of shells from the Germans. The Asquith government created the first of the new war ministries; the Ministry of Munitions under Lloyd George, successfully intensifying munitions production. Output increased enormously across the country.

Production at Templeborough by the steel firm Thomas Firth began in January 1916, well ahead of schedule, unlike others in the country which were delayed by shortages and labour disputes.

By the end of the war the factory had produced two and half million shells and by 1918, the workforce was 87% female and had expanded to employ 5,693 people.

Location: National Projectile Factory, Templeborough, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S60 1DX
Images courtesy of Imperial War Museums and Sheffield Archive and Local Studies
Presented by Kate Linderholm

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