epw027873 ENGLAND (1929). The Richmond Gas Works and Latchford Locks, Latchford, 1929

The Richmond works converted to a bombmaking facility during World War Two. My Mum was employed there - drilling holes in bomb casings. On the left (west of factory) can be seen open fields. In the 1930s Warrington Corporation built a large housing estate there and moved people out of the slums of Warrington town centre. In 1935 my grandparents (although not living in a slum) got an opportunity to take one of these new 'Corporation' houses and were thrilled to move to a smart, clean, modern house which had an indoor toilet and a bathroom! As a result, when war came and my Mum (then still in her teens) sought work, she was able to take a useful job within walking distance of her home.