• Remains of the Chaul End munition works photographed in 1933.

 

The following verses, the composition of Lieut Burnham, a member of the staff of Messrs George Kent Ltd, were recited at the victory celebration at Chaul End last week [wrote the N-T-F & Tuesday Telegraph of December 3rd, 1918].

 

Now, all you girls of Luton,

Who have helped to beat the Teuton

With detonators, fuze and VSP,

Since these happy days at Chaul End

For you soon must doubtless all end,

Then I wonder where in days to come you'll be.

 

All the Mandies and the Trixies

Who now work on '106s'

Will find here there'll be nothing more to do.

Soon, though, caps they are now inserting,

Straw to hats they'll be converting.

And I hope that they will pass inspection, too.

 

You, who '18 Ps' have emptied,

May in days to come be tempted

As taxi girls to hail us in the street;

Though I'm sure you'll miss the letryl

If you only get the petrol,

All the breaking down you've done you'll ne'er repeat.

 

Chorus (To the tune of 'Another Little Drink')

Yes, we girls in brown and blue,

Kentites and Canaries, too,

May perhaps by Christmastide

All be scattered far and wide;

But with glad and joyous heart

From Chaul End we can depart,

Now we feel our duty's done,

Having helped to crush the Hun.

 

Now I wonder what the fate is

Of the girls who worked on '80s',

Who for top and bottom ring's now disinclined;

May a soldier had soon press it

On her finger and caress it,

Then her lot to matrimonial bonds consigned.

 

Should you find, fair '121-ers',

When you leave behind the gunners,

That at home your lad another lass adores.

Should you see his arms enfold her,

Mind, you mustn't stab the holder,

Though I believe it's done along the corridors.

Soon the Admiralty Inspection,

'Tis our most beloved section,

Some other pleasant job will have to find;

But, think how they'd look dejected

Should they find themselves rejected,

Yet 'twill only be returning kind for kind.