Canary Island Fire

[Retlaw]

On April 27th 1917 an explosion occured at Canary Island Church.
P.C. James Hardacre lost his life closing magazine doors which saved Church and its residents from being destroyed, even so. much damage was caused and windows were broke nearly a mile away.
Police Constable, James Hardacre was postumously awarded the Kings Police Medal for bravery. The following firemen received the O.B.E. Supeintendant E.Ware, 2nd Officer F. Barnes, 3rd Officer J Roberts Accrington Fire Brigade. Superintendant R. Walker, Sergt E. Paley & W. Schofield, of Church Fire Brigade. Walter Schoffields medal is now in Haworth Art Gallery. A Police Constable H. Bradbury is also thought to have been awarded th Kings Police Medal, but so far no records has been found. As P.C. Bradbury was from Oswaldtwistle and had two children, I'm wondering if any Accy Webbers can throw any light on the matter.
Retlaw.

[Bob Dobson]

I cannot recall hearing Bradbury's name.
By chance,. I have today sent a messqage via facebook to an Accrington Grammar School Old Boy (81yrs), Peter Bradbury. who has not been answering emails. I'll ask him

I will enquire with an authority on Bradbury's KPM

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

I cannot recall hearing Bradbury's name.
By chance,. I have today sent a messqage via facebook to an Accrington Grammar School Old Boy (81yrs), Peter Bradbury. who has not been answering emails. I'll ask him

I will enquire with an authority on Bradbury's KPM

Herbert Bradbury was with the Lancs Constabulary stationed at Church, his son James was born in 1906

[Bob Dobson]

PC Herbert Bradbury was awarded KPM over this incident. There may be a cost involved in asking the Lancashire Archives for info on him post-1917 . I will enquire. I have tried to contact the AGSOB.

[Barrie Yates]

Can someone please tell me where/what was Canary Island?

[cashman]

My guess Barrie is back of Blythes on cut bank? someone will correct if it aint i reckon.

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Barrie Yates

Can someone please tell me where/what was Canary Island?

Its real name was Coteholme, a subsidiary of Blythes, they mnanufactured explosives during WW1, their main product was known as Picric Acid, which turned every thing around it yellow, thats why it was known as Canary Island & the workers were nicknamed Canary's.

[susie123]

Oh yes remember picric acid, worked with it when I spent 6 months at ROF Euxton as a student, lovely yellow stuff. Those were the days, carrying TNT pellets around in buckets. Wonder if that would be allowed now?

[Bob Dobson]

Originally Posted by cashman

My guess Barrie is back of Blythes on cut bank? someone will correct if it aint i reckon.

Not often that Cashy's reyt, but he is this time.

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by susie123

Oh yes remember picric acid, worked with it when I spent 6 months at ROF Euxton as a student, lovely yellow stuff. Those were the days, carrying TNT pellets around in buckets. Wonder if that would be allowed now?

Most explosives are relatively safe if handled properly, I doubt those buckets were made of steel, some explosives can be pounded with a hammer and nothing will happen cordite is one, dynamite is another, both contain Nitro Glycerine which will exlode if you wink at it, but once mixed with other substances becomes quite tame.

[Barrie Yates]

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Its real name was Coteholme, a subsidiary of Blythes, they mnanufactured explosives during WW1, their main product was known as Picric Acid, which turned every thing around it yellow, thats why it was known as Canary Island & the workers were nicknamed Canary's.

Thank you - should have realised it was somehow associated with Blythe's

[jihacking]

Originally Posted by Retlaw

On April 27th 1917 an explosion occured at Canary Island Church.
P.C. James Hardacre lost his life closing magazine doors which saved Church and its residents from being destroyed, even so. much damage was caused and windows were broke nearly a mile away.
Police Constable, James Hardacre was postumously awarded the Kings Police Medal for bravery. The following firemen received the O.B.E. Supeintendant E.Ware, 2nd Officer F. Barnes, 3rd Officer J Roberts Accrington Fire Brigade. Superintendant R. Walker, Sergt E. Paley & W. Schofield, of Church Fire Brigade. Walter Schoffields medal is now in Haworth Art Gallery. A Police Constable H. Bradbury is also thought to have been awarded th Kings Police Medal, but so far no records has been found. As P.C. Bradbury was from Oswaldtwistle and had two children, I'm wondering if any Accy Webbers can throw any light on the matter.
Retlaw.

My Great Uncle Edward Smalley also received the OBE as a result of this explosion. He was with the Oswaldtwistle Fire Service based at the Town Hall.