The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Royal Ordnance Factory, Bridgend

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 08719m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Coychurch Lower
Unitary authority : Bridgend
NGR : SS92257901
Site Type (preferred type first) : MODERN MUNITIONS FACTORY

Summary :
The former World War Two Royal Ordnance Factory at Waterton, on the outskirts of Bridgend, was an overspill branch of the Woolwich Arsenal in London; it opened in 1938.

Description :
The former World War Two Royal Ordnance Factory at Waterton, on the outskirts of Bridgend, was an overspill branch of the Woolwich Arsenal in London; it opened in 1938.

The factory was used for making naval shells which were filled and stored underground at the other part of the facility adjacent at Brackla (nprn 308124). At its peak, some 40,000 people worked in the two factories - the highest ever employed in one establishment in the UK. The factory has been largely rebuilt as an industrial estate, although some remnants, including air raid shelters, pill boxes (e.g. 01972m) and other defences (e.g. NPRN 270541), are still visible.

An extensive internal railway system served the complex and there was a railway station for workers, Tremains Halt, on the South Wales main line which formed the northern boundary of the site. Accommodation was provided for employees in the form of a wooden-hutted camp (02214m) at Island Farm nearby (04352m), but it was not used for its intended purpose (NPRN 91719, Malaws, B. A.).

The Ordnance Factory, Bridgend was identified by the Pillbox study group as part of their database collection on modern defence sites.

Sources :
, 2020 , Pillbox Study Group. Database of Modern Defense sites
Thomas, S. , 2018 , South Wales Police Headquarters, Bridgend: Archaeological Desk Based Assessment

Events :
E006299 : South Wales Police Headquarters, Bridgend (year : 2018)
E008099 : South Wales Police Headquarters, Bridgend (year : 2018)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 91719 https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/91719/details/bridgend-royal-ordnance-factory-waterton-brid
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 01972m
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 02214m

Compiled date : 08-06-2020


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