Lady Haig's

Poppy Factory

Where and when was this photo taken?

   A Group of Nurses and Workers from Lady Haig's Poppy Factory, 65 Cnaongate, Edinburgh. Where and when was this photo taken?

© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Betty Hepburn (née Boland), Waikanae, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

 

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     A Group of Nurses and Workers from Lady Haig's Poppy Factory, 65 Cnaongate, Edinburgh. Where and when was this photo taken? ©

 

Lady Haig's Poppy Factory

Old Photo

Thank you to Betty Hepburn for allowing me to reproduce this photo of workers from the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.  Betty's Granddad, William benham, used to work at this factory.  This was one of two poppy factories in Britain.  The other is at Richmond, Surrey, England.

Betty wrote:

"My grandfather is 3rd from the left in this photo."

Betty Hepburn (née Boland), Waikanae, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand:  November 10, 2011

Poppy Factory Addresses

Today, Armistice Day 2011, seems an appropriate day to add this photo to the EdinPhoto web site. 

Where and when was this photograph of the workers and nurses taken?  There are banners and a flag in the background. The address on the banner behind the group reads:

'65 Canongate, Edinburgh'

This was the address of the poppy factory from the time that it opened in March 1926 until it moved to Calton Road.
 (When was that?  See 'Recollections 1' below.)

The poppy factory later moved to the corner of Logie Green Road and Warriston Road in North Edinburgh in the early-1960s.

There is also a number near the bottom left-hand corner of the banner.  I think it is '1860.  I don't know the significance of that number.

 

Recollections

1.

Betty Hepburn (née Boland)

Waikanae, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

 Betty Hepburn also wrote in the EdinPhoto guestbook:

My Grandad

"My Granddad, William Benham, worked at The Lady Haig's Poppy Factory that was situated in the Canongate. which is now the retired service men's home, 'Whitefoord House'.

The factory moved from there to Calton Road.  I believe that my grandfather was employee No.3.  Later, he became a foreman.

The men who worked here were all disabled in some way or other from wounds they received in the First World War.

Grandad lost his leg.  My mother still had a letter that was sent to her on behalf of Lady Haig when Grandad passed away 1939. 

Below are three photos of men working in the poppy factory at the Canongate."

Betty Hepburn (née Boland), Waikanae, Kapiti Coast, New Zealand:
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook:  November 10, 2011.

Lady Haig's Factory at the Canongate: Men working, one on the guillotine ©      Lady Haig's Factory at the Canongate: Workers and Visitors ©      ©

Recollections

2.

George Brodie

Bonyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland

George Brodie replied to Betty Hepburn's message in the guestbook.

George wrote:

My Wife's Father

"My wife's father, Charles Matthews, also lost a leg while serving with the Cameron Highlanders in WW1.

He also worked at the poppy factory for many years, making wreaths.  He may be in one of your photos."

George Brodie, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland:
Reply posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook:  November 11, 2011.

Recollections

3.

John Hadden

Edinburgh

Thank you to John Hadden who wrote:

Royal Highland Show?

A Group of Nurses and Workers from Lady Haig's Poppy Factory, 65 Cnaongate, Edinburgh. Where and when was this photo taken? ©

"My first thought, when I saw this photograph, was that it could be a stand at the Royal Highland Show."

John Hadden, Edinburgh:  November 12, 2011

 

Groups of Workers

Recollections

Contributors

 

 

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