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Described in guide books as a small market town, nestled at the foot of the Welsh Valleys, Bridgend can trace it's history back a long way, but it's the recent past that I'm interested in, and that is what I present here. Bridgend was a significant town during the second world war, primarily for two things, a prisoner of war camp in the town (Which also holds the record for the largest escape by enemy troops during the war), but also home to the largest munitions factory of it's type was located there over three massive sites. There are only a few online references to the Royal Ordnance factory in Bridgend, so I hope that this site will help build up a picture of wartime Bridgend. I have lived in Brackla for nearly fifteen years, and I have always been aware of there being an Ordnance factory in Bridgend. My interest was first ignited as a youngster when I learned about the POW camp at Island Farm, and the fact that it was originally built to house workers in the Ordnance factory. The History of Island Farm Prisoner of war camp is under development with a sister site being built here. Please visit the site and leave your feedback in it's guestbook. The three sites of the Ordnance factory covered a huge area, at what is now Bridgend Industrial Estate, Brackla Industrial estate, and Brackla Hill. The vast majority of buildings erected on these sites have long gone, their purpose , thankfully a thing of the past. I have photographed the remaining buildings, and sites where buildings once stood to try and build a picture of what can be found today. I was lucky to interview the current owner of the converted magazines under Brackla, who gave me a first hand account of building and working around the huge ordnance factory that was so critical to the success of the allies during the second world war. ROF53 had it's own newspaper, and examples of this can be seen here. When the second world war came to an end and the cold war began, Brackla Hill was selected as the site that would govern Wales in the event of nuclear devastation. A new life was given to the tunnels under the hill..............one that would last for 30 years until 1991, when the order was given to stand down. It is difficult for me to present the whole story here, as this is a part time passion for me. Research costs money and time. Please forgive me if a have omitted important details, have facts slightly wrong. Much of the words presented here have come from stories from the people who worked in the factory, friends and family. My main interest is the structure of the factory and what is left for us to see now. The definitive history of ROF53 has recently been published by a local author, MJ Clubb with P Tapper, entitled "The Welsh Arsenal". Please click here to find online. Richard Please follow the links to the left of this panel to navigate around bracklaordnance.co.uk |
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Contact Me
updated 26.10.2009 |
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Situated at Elba Crescent Swansea, there is a Gem of a museum. Life in Swansea during the war. Displays, film shows and a chance to try period clothes on !. Click here for their official site, click here for pictures of my recent visit. |
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Huw Irranca-Davies MP (Ogmore) has been a passionate campaigner for recognition for the many Ordnance factory workers, and has recently added a mini-site dedicated to ROF53. This can been seen here www.huwirranca-davies.org.uk. Please visit the site, and show support to Mr Irranca-Davies' campaign. UPDATE. After many years of struggling, recognition of the huge contribution of the work force in Bridgend has arrived. In a ceremony on Sunday 25th October 2009, a granite plinth with a plaque naming the fallen of the ROF in Bridgend was unveiled. Many notable figures were present at the ceremony, The Mayor, Mr Irranca Davies, Mike Clubb , and of Course, The Glamorgan Home Guard living history group. Click here for photographs. |
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Action ! 18th June 2008 Clwyd West MP, David Jones, has tabled a Commons
Early Day Motion (EDM) calling on the Government to recognise the contribution
made by thousands of munitions workers to the defence of the United Kingdom in
the Second World War. Following an article on a news programme, I contacted Mr
Jones, and spoke with him about the munitions workers, and the recognition they
deserve. Mr Jones has the support from 25 MPs, and now wishes to hear from
anyone who also thinks that this recognition should be passed.
Please click
here to Mr Jones' website, where he can be contacted by writing. Please, for
the thousands of munitions workers who changed their lives, lost their lives and
gave as much support to the nation as servicemen, contact Mr Jones to help with
his proposal. |
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In the News. Jasper Copping of "The Telegraph" recently interviewed me, and after a few leads were given to him he wrote an article on the recognition of the workers in the Ordnance factories during World War 2, this can be seen at their site here. |
