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A paper recycling cart outside the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941
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A paper recycling cart outside the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941
A paper recycling cart outside the General Stores at Swindon Works in 1941. Bound bundles of paperwork and ledgers can be seen piled on the cart ready to be taken away to be pulped. Although the operation was a worthwhile effort, it is quite sad to see the paperwork being destroyed. Historians studying the GWR are now plagued by gaps in the historical record. By 1945 the GWR had sent thousands of tons of waste to the paper mills
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 19931807
Cart Swindon Works World War 2 General Stores Recycling Salvage
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this print from 1941, we are transported back to the General Stores at Swindon Works during World War II. A paper recycling cart stands proudly outside, filled with bound bundles of paperwork and ledgers awaiting their fate. This operation was a commendable effort in salvaging resources during a time of scarcity, yet it is undeniably bittersweet to witness the destruction of valuable historical records. As we gaze upon this scene, one cannot help but feel a pang of sadness for the lost stories and insights that now lie pulped within these carts. Historians studying the Great Western Railway (GWR) are left grappling with frustrating gaps in the historical record due to these necessary measures taken by the company. By 1945, thousands of tons of waste had been sent off to paper mills as part of this recycling initiative. While undoubtedly an important contribution towards wartime efforts, it is impossible not to ponder what invaluable information may have been forever lost in those piles. This photograph serves as a poignant reminder that even amidst times of great turmoil and sacrifice, there can be unintended consequences on our collective memory. It urges us to appreciate and preserve every piece of history that remains intact so that future generations may continue learning from our past experiences.
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