During World War One, as a part of the National Factories Scheme, HM Government commissioned the Enfield Small Arms Factory to design a National Machine Gun Factory.
The Factory was built by local builder Thomas Lowe & Sons and was started in 1917 but not fully finished before the First World War ended in November 1918. Gun making machinery was installed on the site but it was never used to produce machine guns although it was used to recondition about 1000 of them. Part of the factory was built by German prisoners of war who were housed in local brewery maltings buildings.
A large three storey office block was built near to the site entrance which featured a four faced clock on the top of it. The clock required winding regularly and although it is still in working order today the practice has fell into dis-use.
Crosse & Blackwell purchased the factory from the Disposals Board of HM Government in April 1921 for around £612,000.
Crosse & Blackwell closed their Factory at Soho Square in London and commenced production of pickles at Branston in 1921 employing around 600 people. Mrs Caroline Graham & her two daughters, Miss Evelyn & Miss Ermentrude are attributed with producing the Branston Pickle recipe at Branston Lodge and production of it started at the Factory in 1922.
During 1924 Crosse & Blackwell became under financial pressures and considered the Branston Factory was too costly and decided to move production back to London and completely finished production at Branston in January 1925.
The factory was then used by the Branston Artificial Silk Company up until the end of 1930.
The site has had several uses since, mostly by the military. It was also used by The Royal Navy, The Royal Air Force, HM Customs & Excise to train dogs to seek out drugs up until 2013. The site was used as a training location for Prison Officers, Prison Service Industries & Farms Gardens staff. The Royal Navy Midlands recruiting team was based at the site, and the Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service used the site as a training base.
Thanks for looking,
Rubex
The Factory was built by local builder Thomas Lowe & Sons and was started in 1917 but not fully finished before the First World War ended in November 1918. Gun making machinery was installed on the site but it was never used to produce machine guns although it was used to recondition about 1000 of them. Part of the factory was built by German prisoners of war who were housed in local brewery maltings buildings.
A large three storey office block was built near to the site entrance which featured a four faced clock on the top of it. The clock required winding regularly and although it is still in working order today the practice has fell into dis-use.
Crosse & Blackwell purchased the factory from the Disposals Board of HM Government in April 1921 for around £612,000.
Crosse & Blackwell closed their Factory at Soho Square in London and commenced production of pickles at Branston in 1921 employing around 600 people. Mrs Caroline Graham & her two daughters, Miss Evelyn & Miss Ermentrude are attributed with producing the Branston Pickle recipe at Branston Lodge and production of it started at the Factory in 1922.
During 1924 Crosse & Blackwell became under financial pressures and considered the Branston Factory was too costly and decided to move production back to London and completely finished production at Branston in January 1925.
The factory was then used by the Branston Artificial Silk Company up until the end of 1930.
The site has had several uses since, mostly by the military. It was also used by The Royal Navy, The Royal Air Force, HM Customs & Excise to train dogs to seek out drugs up until 2013. The site was used as a training location for Prison Officers, Prison Service Industries & Farms Gardens staff. The Royal Navy Midlands recruiting team was based at the site, and the Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service used the site as a training base.
Thanks for looking,
Rubex
