Health Care Provision for Munition Workers During the First World War

Date
Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Time
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location
Wheeler, Chester
Munition Workers During the First World War
Open EventCommunityFaculty of Health, Medicine and Society

Image credited to Leeds Central Library
Image credited to Leeds Central Library
Speaker: Dr Claire Chatterton, Visiting Professor, University of Chester and University of Chichester
Date and Time: Wednesday, 5th November, 4 pm,
Location: Wheeler, Chester
Room: CRV 012

‘It turned us yellow all over.’ Both women and men played a vital role in Britain's munitions factories during the First World War, but this came at a considerable cost to their health.

This talk will discuss the health issues that arose from munitions work. It will also outline the health care provision made for workers in munitions factories and to what extent nursing and medical staff were able to ameliorate the health problems they encountered. It will also consider the extent to which these health issues were recognised at the time and the government’s response to them.

All are welcome to attend these in-person talks. Booking is encouraged for refreshment and seating purposes and in case there are any last-minute changes (contact details below). Please check the event listings for updates to the programme: www.chester.ac.uk/events (scroll down to see the individual events). Access to the event venue is via a flight of steps. For those with limited mobility, there is an accessible route and please pre-book to arrange this access. fhsc.histsoc@chester.ac.uk or 01244 512963.

How to get here

The Wheeler building is located in the centre of Chester on Castle Drive by the River Dee. It is accessible via the M53, A55, A483, A51 and A41, and public transport from the city centre.

Find your way around Wheeler

Address

University of Chester, Castle Drive, Chester, CH1 1SL

There are cycle shelters at Queen’s Park which are marked with a yellow circle and the letter C on University location maps.

Chester railway station is a 20-minute walk from Wheeler and the Arriva 1 and 11 run frequent services that stop within a short walking distance. The Arrowebrook Coaches 26 also stops nearby. Parking is not available for students at Wheeler, however, all three Park and Ride routes, PR1, PR2 and PR3 have connections within walking distance to the site.

For alternative car parks, including the nearby Little Roodee, see the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.