Blue Plaque to commemorate Exeter School hero

An historic blue plaque has been erected on the science department at Exeter School to commemorate a previous pupil who sacrificed his life to save others in a devastating explosion that tore through a London based factory in 1917.

Andrea Angel (also known as Andrew or Andreas) was born in 1877 in Bradford, before moving to Devon with his parents, where he was educated at Exeter School.

He graduated from Christ Church, Oxford with a First in Chemistry in 1899, eventually lecturing and running the laboratory at his alma mater. He was forbidden from enlisting at the start of the Great War due to his chemical knowledge and joined Brunner Mond Company in London’s East End to assist their vital wartime work for the Ministry of Munitions in 1915.

There he was assigned the role of Chief Chemist, overseeing the purification of TNT in a former caustic soda works.

On Friday 19 January 1917, a huge explosion ripped through Silvertown, when a fire accidentally started on the roof of the room where the TNT was processed. As soon as he was alerted to the danger, Angel immediately started evacuating staff from the building, prioritising the welfare of the workers before attempting to extinguish the fire. However, the flames were too strong, and a huge explosion ripped through Silvertown as 53 tonnes of TNT were caught in the flames. The sound was heard as far away as Southampton and the resulting fires were seen from Guildford.

In total, 73 people lost their lives and over 400 were injured. Andrea Angel was amongst them, a hero who had fought so hard to save others.  He was posthumously awarded the Edward Medal (replaced in 1941 by The George Cross) stating that he had lost his life endeavouring to save the lives of others.

Duncan Rabagliati, Andrea Angel’s cousin said: “Andreas was a true civilian hero in a time of war; we are humbled by the plaque, thoughtfully placed on the science building. It will be a permanent reminder to future generations. It’s clear he has rightfully made a lasting impression on the Exeter School pupils of today.”

Alice Holohan, Director of Development and Alumni Relations: “The school is very pleased to recognise Andrea Angel’s bravery in this way. I was delighted that the plaque was movingly unveiled at OE Day in front of so many alumni and friends of the school.”