Northumbrian Gunner: Birtley Belgians

Following the failure to secure the Aubers Ridge in May 1915, the principle reason was deemed to be the lack of high explosive shells to support the action. The problems with the levels of ammunition available lead to the downfall of the government and the formation of a national coalition. The position of Minister of Munitions was created and Lloyd George appointed.

Faced with a shortage of munitions, the new Ministry initiated a program to build more factories. In agreement between the government and Armstrong-Whitworth, two factories were built at Birtley in County Durham.

With so many men in the armed forces, and many women already employed in making munitions, there was a shortage of labour. Belgium possessed many skilled armament workers and an approach was made to the Belgium government for assistance. The Belgian’s were able to provide the workers from wounded soldiers who were often unfit for front line service but still capable of using their skills in the factories. Many were also refuges as their homes were in German occupied Belgium.

One of the challenges was the men in the main could not understand English, and their working practices were different, so there would be problems integrating them into the factories. It was decided that the Belgians would work together and Birtley was chosen as the location. The factories would be controlled by a Belgian management team.

Production started late in 1915 increasing to full production in the spring of 1916. Initially several hundred men were employed, rising to 3,500.

Birtley National Projectile Factory

To house the Belgians a new town was created, and named after the Belgian Queen, so Elisabethville was born. The streets had Belgian names and a local stream renamed the Yser.

Elizabethville Map

Elizabethville Ariel Photograph

The community had their own schools, hospitals, shops and recreational facilities. Accommodation was in wooden huts, barrack rooms for the single men or houses for married men.

There was even a British post office staffed by Belgian postal workers.

When the war ended in November 1918 the requirement for munitions diminished. Most munitions factories that were built in 1916 were closed, Birtley remained open and became a Royal Ordnance Factory.

With German defeated the Belgians were able to return home and Elizabethville was dismantled. the last Belgians left Elizabethville 27th May 1919.