Lot 3567

Description

The National Shell Filling Factory, Chilwell, check in brass (39mm), pierced hole at top, obverse, Imperial crown above interlocking Cs, counterstamped, "The VC Factory / 1915 1918", reverse, across the centre, "Chilwell", above, impressed no. 1237, around, "The Property Of The National Shell Filling Factory No.6" (Yarwood MMT023). Very fine and rare.

This factory filled half of all British shells fired during WWI. There was a massive explosion at the factory on 1 July 1918 resulting in 137 people killed, most of whom were blown to pieces and another 250 wounded. Incredibly, the factory resumed production the next day. The factory was collectively recommended for the Victoria Cross and thereafter was known as "The V.C. Factory". With research.