These are personal histories of some of the men who had charge of the Royal Gunpowder Mills. They saw the Mills through many changes as steam replaced water power and cordite replaced gunpowder. Apart from making gunpowder they had fought in wars in Europe, Asia and North America, one returned with a Victoria Cross. They also knew disaster; sons were killed in battle, one died in exile from the law, and some had their lives cut short. They and their families were part of the backbone of the British Empire.