Whitehaven Munitions Factory

[Jos, Whitehaven]

Can anyone please tell me where the munitions factory was in Whitehaven circa. 1940 onwards.
My ancestor 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

Alyson 123,

I hope this is not too late to be of assistance for your enquiry. From the information given I would also guess that if your relative was living in the Whitehaven area and worked at an Ordnance factory prior to 1942 it would have been Drigg ROF. Buses used to collect those living in the nearby West Cumbrian towns and villages, including Whitehaven.

I have been told one of my relatives who lived in Whitehaven (Woodhouse) worked at Drigg ROF in the early part of WW2. In July 1941 two of his Whitehaven neighbours (Richard Ashburne and William Steele) were killed in an ammonia accident. This was in a different accident to William Darby and Ada Bawden referred in a previous reply to your  enquiry.

If you wish to see 'The Whitehaven News' article about the accident involving Mr Ashburne and Mr Steele click on the following link:

http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/recalling-forgotten-wartime-tragedies-1.758211

I have previously tried to research Drigg ROF in WW2, and there does not seem to be much. There is a small amount of information and a few wartime photographs in the file in the Cumbria County Archives mentioned in an earlier posting. This is deposited in the Whitehaven Office if you are interested in looking this up sometime.

If the relative you are enquiring about lived in Whitehaven do you know if his name is listed in the WW2 Borough of Whitehaven 'Book of Remembrance'? That is also stored at the Cumbria County Archives in Whitehaven.

If a relative made a written request for his name to be included in the 'Book of Remembrance' such a letter may also have been deposited with it. It might be worth an enquiry if you are interested?

[jeffbubble]

ROF Sellafield

[alyson123]

Thankyou for contributing this picture of Sellafield ROF Jeff bubble, it is
very interesting and useful to me.
This really has been interesting subject matter, and I am grateful to all
who have kindly given so much information.
Of course should anyone have a picture of Drigg ROF, I still have my
fingers crossed, on that one!
Thanks again to all.
Alyson123

[jeffbubble]

Drigg ROF.

[Jos, Whitehaven]

Alyson,

As previously mentioned there is some information about the history of the Drigg ROF (including some photographs) deposited in the County Archives at Whitehaven. They are the only photographs I have ever come across.

During the war there were restrictions on taking and publishing photographs of potentially sensitive locations. Unless anyone knows differently the wartime photographs held by the Archives Office may be the only ones available to the public?

The one Jeff has posted is one of these.

[jeffbubble]

Alyson,

In 1946 the RAF took aerial photos of England and Wales, then some more in 1947/8.

The Cumberland ones are in the County Planning/Archaeologists Office in Kendal they can be viewed by appointment.

Fascinating viewing!

Jeff

[alyson123]

Wow! Jeffbubble ........ I wasn't expecting a photo that quick!
Thankyou so much for for this, I am so pleased.
I thought you would enjoy this subject matter Jos Whitehaven,
........ this post has rewarded me in so many ways.
Bless you all!
Alyson123