A First World War Salvage Depot was established at Ridham, Kent in 1917. It was one of five established in that year by the Salvage Department of the Ministry of Munitions, the others being at Blyth, Immingham (near Grimsby), Trafford Park (near Manchester) and Renfrew. The depots received, stored and sorted cartridge cases and boxes, heavy artillery ammunition components and anti-gas equipment – dispatching them as necessary to various stores and factories. In June 1918 there were 1268 people employed at four of the depots of whom 75 per cent were women.