One family who have more reason than most to make sure the White Lund explosion is never forgotten are the Grahams.

For if it wasn't for the bravery of one of their number, many more people could have been killed on October 1, 1917.

Abraham Clarke Graham who lived in Lancaster and was a widower with six children at the time, showed such bravery and resourcefulness that he was awarded the Edward Medal, described as The Victoria Cross of Civil Life.

It was so prestigious that Abraham along with fellow worker, Thomas Kew, were presented with their medals by King George V at Buckingham Palace.

Other recipients were Thomas Coppard and Thomas Tattersall.
Abraham's medal is now in the ownership of his grandson, Alan Graham, who lives in Lancaster.

He contacted us to remind people of the part his grandfather and others played on the night of the explosion.

Alan said: "It seems a shame to me that in this age of erecting commemorative statues and plaques at a drop of a hat there has never been a memorial to those who died nor a token of gratiitude made to the courageous men and women who risked, and lost their lives, attempting to safeguard their workmates and fellow townspeople."

His grandfather's award is pretty rare. Since the Edward Medal was introduced in 1909, only 25 silver medals have ever been awarded. Alan says a further eight men received the King's Police Medal for their part in the rescue too.

Alan's father was named Abraham after his brave dad though he never knew him as he died just weeks before Abraham Jnr's birth in 1930.

Abraham Snr was one for large families as after marrying for a second time he had another five daughters and two sons.

Abraham originally came from Barrow and worked on the railway. At the time of the explosion, he was a shunter.

His wife had been working at the White Lund factory up to the day before the explosion but fortunately was moved to the projectile works in Caton Road.

When the alarm was raised, Abraham was at home but made his way to White Lund where he saw workers fleeing in terror.

The Lancaster Guardian of the time reported: "He saw a train of wagons filled with shells, some of which were exploding. Very soon the whole lot would have been enveloped by the fire that was raging with fearful results that may be imagined, though hardly describable.

He sought up the engine driver, Thomas Kew, and together they determined to draw the wagons and shells out of the fire.

Mr Graham coupled up the wagons whilst shells were bursting and shrapnel was flying about.

He seemed to bear a charmed life for he escaped injury and so did Mr Kew.

By coolness and courage long sustained, the two men got no less than 49 wagons laden with shells away out of 57, drawing them out of the raging fire in successive journeys and thus averted an even more terrible disaster than really occurred.

It meant risking their lives over and over again but they stuck to their self-appointed tasks with a determination and grit that amazed all who saw what they attempted and accomplished."