A PLEA has been made for information about a historical figure linked to Powfoot.
The team at the Devil’s Porridge Museum in Eastriggs want to find out more about a woman named Catherine Munro and two prestigious medals she was awarded.
Serving as a chargewoman at Powfoot Factory in 1942, Catherine was awarded the ICI Medal for Bravery and the British Empire Medal for Bravery for showing courage without regard to her own safety.
Catherine was loading a car with powder when she saw a fire begin to burn at the nearby powder house, taking it upon herself to fight the growing blaze as the fire brigade was called.
Her medals were purchased by the Devil’s Porridge several years ago, using a £20,000 grant given to the museum by the Anne Graham Bequest. They are currently on display at the museum but the curators have been unable to find out any more information about the woman herself.
If you can help fill in the blanks, contact them on 01461 700021 or email [email protected].
Meanwhile, the museum last week revealed that their recently-completed heritage fund project had culminated in a new permanent display.
It involves a projector featuring a munitions worker, played by local actress Brook Ferguson.
It’s positioned to look like a hologram posed in a common hostel room and gives a peek into the life of a young woman at the time.
The character, Agnes, details how she joined the factory to help in the war effort, how the conditions in the factory were tough and exhausting, but how she kept working to send the money home to her family and what she was planning to do after the war.
Curator Rebecca Short said: “I’m excited to share that our museum has recently completed a Heritage Fund project, culminating in installing a projection featuring a munition worker.
“The talented, aspiring local actress Brook Ferguson skilfully brings our munition worker’s portrayal to life.
“This newly established permanent exhibit serves as a powerful platform, amplifying the voice of the munition worker within our museum; we are really pleased with it.”
