A DORSET writer has written a book on an explosion that tragically claimed the lives of 10 men 90 years ago.
Ten workers at the Royal Naval Cordite Factory in Holton Heath were killed by the lethal, explosive substance, nitroglycerine on June 23, 1931. Seventeen other workers were injured and homes one mile from the factory sustained structural damage.
To mark the 90th anniversary of the tragic explosion, a service of remembrance will be held at The Blackhill Road Memorial at 10.15am tomorrow.
Holton Heath Memorial Group member Rod Hughes has written a book covering the disaster entitled: "Tears on the Heath: A very Dorset disaster and its social effects".
Reflecting on his book, Mr Hughes fears that the 10 men who died 'have become somewhat forgotten, something I find very saddening'.
He said: "It was not a happy message with no ‘happy ever after’ it was a sad story with no super heroes but 10 ordinary men who left for work one sunny summers morning never to return to their families.
"It was never going to be an easy journey, but just how difficult it was to be I could not have begun to imagine.
"Emotionally harrowing at times, it was not long before I became emotionally attached to my subject matter.
"It was difficult, very difficult with countless visits and discussions with people.
"At many times along the way I wanted to give up but always carried on mainly because for me, I was doing it for them; to stop would be a betrayal."
Mr Hughes will also give a talk and officially launch his new work at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne at 2pm as part of Wimborne Literary Festival.
Motivation for the book came from his interest in the tragic day and he fears the 10 men who died that day 'have become somewhat forgotten, something I find very saddening.'
Tickets for the talk cost £7 and can be purchased either through Gullivers Bookshop on 01202882677 or online through this link https://bit.ly/3wFfldv
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