Whitehaven Munitions Factory

[alyson123]

Can anyone please tell me where the munitions factory was in Whitehaven circa. 1940 onwards.
My ancester worked there prior to enlisting and then went on to Burma where he served in the
Battle of Kohima, sadly he was killed in action 2wks before the end of the war.
If anyone knows also of any pictures of the munitions factory, I would be very grateful.
Kind regards
Alyson

[Geoff-E]

At the time of his death in 1942, my grandad was a Process Worker (Ordnance Factory) - they lived in Whitehaven.  Apparently there was a factory at Sellafield, I don't know if there was anything closer but, by the very nature of the place, I don't suppose it would be near the town.

I've asked "somewhere else" where someone ought to know the answer.  In the meantime http://www.sellafieldsites.com/land/pages/introduction.html

I'm told there was also one at Drigg ... both are now nuclear sites of course http://tinyurl.com/y93qqz8

[alyson123]

Thanks for your reply Geoff-E , and the links were really useful.
It makes sense that it would have been Sellafield or Brigg, also I know his father worked
at the Sellafield site, but not sure what era and what he did.
Is an Ordnance factory the same thing as Munition's? pardon my ignorance!
Looking forward to your update from other sources.
Thankyou for your help.
Kind regards
Alyson

[Geoff-E]

Alyson - you can see for yourself http://www.mywhitehaven.co.uk/main-forum-f1/ordnance-factory-t353.htm

I'm not sure there will be any more replies - was there one factory or two?

[jeffbubble]

There was a factory called 'The Shell Shop' on the Drybread area on the Marsh at Workington. I know they manufactured brass shells, but do not know if they were filled with the explosives there.

then there was RNAD at Broughton Moor.

[alyson123]

Thankyou for this additional information jeffbubble,
another couple of possibilities for me to consider.
Regards
Alyson

[Geoff-E]

It seems that there were, after all, factories at both Drigg and Sellafield.

According to a book I'm reading, building of the Drigg factory was started in Jan 1939 and completed in Feb 1941.  The Sellafield Roayal Ordnance Factory opened in May 1943.

As my grandad died in Jan 1942, he must have worked at Drigg.  His death announcement in the Whitehaven News said "of 79 Scotch Street, late of Lowca" so I guess he left the pit in 1941 to start at Drigg.

[alyson123]

Geoff E
You are a star!!...... this latest information confirms to me that my relative must also have been
at Drigg with your Grandfather. He enlisted in Jan of 1942, so could'nt have been at the Sellafield
site, the dates you have provided means he would have been overseas by this time.
Please let me know if you ever see a picture of the Drigg site, should you come across one.
Thanks so much for all your help.
Alyson
ps At different times, my relatives lived in Scotch Street too!

[Geoff-E]

Please let me know if you ever see a picture of the Drigg site, should you come across one.

Wartime + Official Secrets Act = Doubtful