The National Shell Filling Factory was a purpose built factory. The site at Chilwell was chosen because it had good transport access, a nearby population and was surrounded by high ground (in case of accident). The factory began production on 8 January 1916, less than 4 months after work on the building began on 13 September 1915 under the direction of Godfrey John Boyle, 8th Viscount Chetwynd, and the supervision of the chief engineer, Albert Hall. The facilities for employees included a Red Cross Hospital, a canteen, rest rooms, a recreation club and sports facilities. The factory had produced 1 million shells by September 1916; NSFF filled 60% of the shells used during the war as well as filling 25,000 mines for the Royal Navy and 2.500 large bombs for the Royal Flying Corps/RAF. The NSFF achieved a national record on 15 June 1918 when workers filled 46,725 shells in one 24 hour period. At its peak, the factory employed 6,000 men and 4.000 women. The explosion on 1 July 1918 killed 134 workers, the majority of whom would never be identified, and wounded 250 others; five dying later of their injuries. The first funeral was held on 4 July 1918; of the 34 bodies which were buried in a mass grave only one could be identified. A Home Office inquiry was convened on 8 July 1918 and closed on 7 August 1918; the report was classified 'secret' but the cause of the explosion was believed to have been accidental. On 13 March 1919, the Duke of Portland, the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, unveiled a memorial on the site of the explosion. A memorial was also erected on the site of the factory. Nottingham Evening Post, 2 July 1919: ‘The Chilwell Disaster. Memorial Service at Attenborough. The greatest local tragedy associated with the war was doubtless the explosion at the Chilwell National Shell-Filling Factory, which occurred on July 1st, 1918, when 134 men and women were killed and 240 injured. … The main road, now known as Chetwynd-road, in the works, was thrown open both before and after the service, when a large number of the public visited the obelisk erected to the memory of the killed. This was beautifully decorated with garlands of evergreens, and the colours of the RAO reversed draping the top. At the base were placed many wreaths which included those sent by Col. Howie Jones, one from the Chilwell Workers, one from the Woolwich Arsenal, two from the late workers in the mills (when the explosion occurred), and a number of relatives.’ Note: 30 victims of the explosion were buried in Attenborough churchyard.(www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 29 July 1920: ‘Chilwell Heroes. Unveiling of memorial at Attenborough. A large congregation assembled at Attenborough Church last evening on the occasion of the unveiling by the Duke of Portland of a memorial erected on the grave of the men and women victims of the Chilwell explosion interred in the churchyard. The Rev. WM Brown, Vicar of Bramcote, conducted the service in the church, and was assisted by the Rev. WP Cole Sheane (vicar of Beeston), and the Ven. Archdeacon of Nottingham, who preached the sermon. The memorial is in the form of an oak cross, designed by Major Valon, similar in pattern to the crosses on the graves in France. It is 10ft. In height, and stands on a three tier base, the whole being enclosed by chains fixed to panelled oak posts, and is inscribed with the date of the explosion, and to the memory of those who met their death. The Rev. WM Brown explained that the cost had been met by efforts made at the Chilwell depot and generous outside assistance, and funds over and above the actual cost would be held in reserve for the upkeep. The relatives of the killed and members of the congregation were invited to inspect the memorial erected in the Chilwell Depot, and a large number availed themselves of the opportunity. The large grave and the six separate graves wherein the bodies of the identified repose were covered with floral tributes.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)