A PLAQUE is to be unveiled tomorrow to mark the centenary of a devastating explosion at Low Moor Munitions Company which claimed 40 lives.

For the first time all 40 names of those that died are to be featured together on public display as the stone plaque is installed.

It is being placed on a boulder on the Spen Valley Greenway in Oakenshaw, close to the former factory site.

Geoff Twentyman of Low Moor Local History Group, which is behind the plaque, told the Telegraph & Argus: “This is the first time ever that there will be a public display listing all the 40 names of those that died in the explosion.”

He added that the memorial unveiling followed on from a recent book written by two local history group members called Yellow Poppies, which features biographies of the people who lost their lives in the explosion.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and culture - and Labour councillor for the Low Moor area - is to officially unveil the plaque at 2pm tomorrow.

She said: “As a young child growing up in the area I was very aware of the history surrounding the explosion. It’s hard to imagine the devastation that took place that day.”

A fire broke out at the munitions factory in New Works Road on August 21, 1916, during the First World War.

It led to more than 20 explosions, and as well as those that died, there were 60 others seriously injured.

A fire engine from Odsal and two from Bradford with 15 firemen and three officers attended, but they were engulfed in fire.

Five firemen and one officer were among those who perished.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is planning to rededicate a plaque placed on a statue of a fireman at its Birkenshaw headquarters at a special service on Sunday, August 21.

The plaque was moved from Scholemoor Cemetery in 2003 and commemorate the six members of the fire service who died.

A recent appeal for relatives of the fallen fireman has resulted in around a dozen family members attending the ceremony, including the grandson of fireman Knighton Pridmore, visiting from Canada.

In addition the fire service is putting on a memorial display at Bradford’s City Hall which will be officially opened next week.