麻豆社

In 1917, children were organised to collect conkers for the war effort. The government sent notices to schools announcing that 鈥渞eceiving depots are being opened in most districts鈥�.This collection is invaluable war work and is very urgent.鈥�

The chestnuts were needed for the production of acetone which was used to make cordite, the propellant used to fire bullets and shells. Acetone manufacture depended on supplies of starch, using a process developed by the chemist Chaim Weizmann, who later became the first President of Israel. But by 1917 the German U-boat campaign in the North Atlantic had threatened imports of maize. An alternative source of starch was required and, apart from conkers, the government experimented with everything from acorns to Jerusalem artichokes.

The chestnuts were sent secretly to factories at Holton Heath and King鈥檚 Lynn. The Dorset factory produced cordite for the Royal Navy, which was transported by barge from Poole Harbour to Priddy鈥檚 Hard in Gosport.

The image shows cordite being combed at Holton Heath. Image courtesy of Friends of Holton Heath
Location: Holton Heath, Dorset BH16 6JX
Presented by 麻豆社 Reporter, Marcus White