| Description | Dr. William Raymond Bulcraig was the Manager-in-Charge of the Initiator Group (Detonators and Primers) at the Royal Ordnance factory, Kirkby from 1940. In this piece, he describes the history of Woolwich Arsenal and the expansion of ordnance factories during World War II; the production of lead azide; the design and manufacture of ammunition and the detonator manufacture and disposal process in Group One at R.O.F. Kirkby, with examples of cases of mishandling detonators and examples of accidents and heroism. Also mentioned is the 'Alphabet Poem' created by Dr. Bulcraig to share safety instructions - 'Experiments in Propaganda', GB1076.ROF/1/2/1. This piece was edited by Dr. Bulcraig's son, W.J. Bulcraig, in 2025 with a short preface under the heading, 'Brave Kirby Girls of World War 2' [sic]. A photocopy of an earlier version of the document cated February 1995 (included) provides examples of Group One safety propaganda. |