Description:
This certificate issued several months before VE Day is a reminder that extreme danger in the pursuit of victory was faced on our doorstep. On 30 May 1944 a large explosion ripped through the Royal Ordnance Factory in Rotherwas, destroying a large part of the factory, killing two members of staff and injuring 30. The casualties were kept as low as they were thanks to the heroism of firemen, emergency personnel and factory workers. Many were honoured with medals, including the George Medal, OBE, MBE and British Empire Medal..
The certificate was presented by Hereford city council in March 1945. This delay in recognising the disaster occurred for security reasons. In Hereford, of course, it was impossible to have missed the tremendous blast, but the London Gazette did not announce it until the closing stages of the war.
For a wealth of documents, memorabilia and reminiscences telling the story of the munitions factory, visit our ROF Royal Ordnance Factory Rotherwas collection on this website.
