A view of the Spring Close Works (from the north-west) c.1940s
Facility Type & Function:
National Shell Factory (N.F.F.) – The manufacture of 13-pdr, 18-pdr. High Explosive and Smoke shells plus 2.75″ shells.
Brief History:
This factory was set up by the Nottingham Munitions Committee. It was established in existing premises (Spring Close Works) previously used as a textile and lace mill.
The shell factory open in mid-1916. After the war it is believed that the site reverted to a textile mill.
This early 1900s map clearly shows the Spring Close Works on Commercial Road, Old Lenton. It is not know how much of this textile and lace mill was converted in the establishment of the N.S.F – Nottingham
Nothing of the original Spring Close Works site now remains. The buildings have all been demolished and the area re-developed as part of the Queens Medical Centre.
Location Details:
Spring Close Works, Commercial Street, Old Lenton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire – National Factory Area No.4
Associated Token, Check & Pass Issues:
Type I
Function: Canteen Token
Material: White plastic
Design: Uniface with a plain edge
Shape & Size: Circular, 30 mm
Obverse: Legend around outer edge reads . NOTTINGHAM NATIONAL SHELL FACTORY plus the denomination 1D in centre of field
Reverse: Blank
Date: 1915 to 1918
Maker: Unknown
Published References: Unknown
Type II
Function: Canteen Token
Material: White plastic
Design: Uniface with a plain edge
Shape & Size: Circular, 29.7 mm
Obverse: Legend around outer edge reads . NOTTINGHAM NATIONAL SHELL FACTORY plus the denomination 1D in centre of field
Reverse: Blank
Date: 1915 to 1918
Maker: Unknown
Published References: Unknown
Type III
Function: Canteen Token
Material: White plastic
Design: Uniface with a plain edge
Shape & Size: Circular, 30 mm
Obverse: Legend around outer edge reads . NOTTINGHAM NATIONAL SHELL FACTORY plus the denomination ½D in centre of field
Reverse: Blank
Date: 1915 to 1918
Maker: Unknown
Published References: Unknown
British War Work Tokens 