This month’s Item of the Month has only recently been donated to the Society’s Archive – and we’re very grateful for it too.
It’s a hardback Register from Hope Brothers Ltd factory on Factory Lane (now White Hart Lane) at Littleport, that was kept in accordance with the Factory and Workshop Act (1901). The Register is a record of young persons and children employed at the factory, a record of accidents, a record of any poisonings, a record of limewashing activities in the building, and a register of the factory’s steam boiler servicing.
This book, which includes entries from 1899 (under an earlier Act) through to 1915, is an absolute trove for family historians, as it not only documents who was working at Hope Brothers Ltd factory during this time, but it also states their employment start date, their address at the time, the names of their parents, date of birth, and signatures of the ‘certifying surgeon’ who made sure that the young people and children were fit for work.
Health and Safety at Hope Brothers Ltd
In addition, a medical certificate is attached to the inside cover, for a Miss Ada Knightall, to certify that she is unable to work due to ‘a fused shoulder’ in January 1902.
The book also reports accidents – including washerwoman Martha Ashman whose finger was pinched by a wringing machine in 1905, an accident that wasn’t unique as in 1904 ironer Gertrude Weldon also became victim to it. In 1902, ironer Ada Nightall (likely the same as above but with a different spelt surname), is reported to have ‘fell in laundry’ whilst carrying her iron to her table.
Porter Albert Willet suffered a bruised right foot when a case of goods slipped in January 1907, and Elsie Purdy was injured in November 1909 whilst oiling her sewing machine.
The factory would have been a dangerous place to work for many – more-so for these younger employees.
The book is a wonderful snapshot of staff and the types of work they undertook, and we’re grateful for this donation.
Latest acquisitions
Amongst our latest acquisitions, we have also received:
- Four Peacock family christening gowns
- A Littleport Public Hall Company Ltd Share Certificate
(Ref: LS2025.0441) - Millfield Primary Yearbook – Year 6 Leavers 2025
(Ref: LS2025.0458) - Littleport Village College prospectus 1981-1982
(Ref: LS2025.0470) - Photograph album of The Limes, Littleport
(Ref: LS2025.0482)
