ROF Bridgend facts for kids

ROF Bridgend was a huge factory in Bridgend, South Wales, during World War II. It was known as Filling Factory No. 2. This factory was one of the biggest of sixteen special government-owned factories in the UK. These factories were called Royal Ordnance Factories (ROFs) and they made munitions, which are things like bombs and bullets. ROF Bridgend was super important for Britain's war effort. At its busiest, about 40,000 people worked there, making it one of the largest factories ever in Britain's history!

Why Was ROF Bridgend Built?

After World War I, Britain didn't make many weapons. The factories that used to make them were mostly shut down. But as World War II got closer, leaders started to worry. They saw how the Luftwaffe (Germany's air force) could bomb places accurately. Britain needed to make more weapons, and quickly!

In 1935, a plan was made. Research for weapons would stay in London at the Woolwich Arsenal. But the actual making of weapons would move to new, safer factories. Two of these new factories were ROF Chorley (Filling Factory No.1) and ROF Bridgend (Filling Factory No.2). As the war planning continued, it became clear that even more factories were needed. Experts from the Royal Arsenal helped design and build many new ROFs. By the end of World War II, over 40 ROFs were open. Many other factories, run by private companies, also helped make explosives.

How Was ROF Bridgend Developed?

Bridgend was chosen for this important factory for three main reasons:

• It was far away from areas in south and east England that were easy targets for enemy bombs.
• Bridgend had many people who needed jobs, which meant lots of workers were available.
• The area was great for moving goods. It was close to three big ports (Cardiff, Swansea, Barry) and near the large South Wales coalfield for power. Port Talbot was also nearby for steel.

In April 1936, the government bought about 900 acres (3.6 km²) of land in Waterton. This land was next to the Great Western Railway South Wales Main Line, which was perfect for transport. People used to say that the area, which was once marshland, was often misty. This mist might have helped hide the factory from bombers. But once the marshes were drained, the mist went away. More land was bought in Brackla, leading to the creation of two more ROF sites, ROF 11 and ROF 41.

In April 1937, the Great Western Railway started building 24 miles (39 km) of railway tracks inside the factory complex. This included a large train yard and sidings. A train stop called Tremains halt was also built near Waterton so workers could easily get to the factory. A footbridge was built there too, and you can still see parts of it today. Many construction companies helped build the factories. The whole complex had over 1000 buildings and 60 miles (97 km) of roads!

By 1940, the factories were working at full speed. Nearly 40,000 people worked there, making it the biggest single workplace in the country at the time.

What Happened After the War?

ROF Bridgend stopped making weapons in 1945. It was only meant to operate for the duration of the war. It stayed open as a storage facility until 1946, when it was finally closed down. The land and buildings were then sold to companies that wanted to build new things.

Many of the special factory buildings were knocked down. Like many former ROFs, it became an industrial estate, which is now called Bridgend Industrial Estate. The main office buildings were taken over after the war to become the police headquarters for Glamorgan County. Today, they are the headquarters for the South Wales Police.

The land between the two old factory sites, south of Brackla Hill, was turned into a large area of homes. This area is now simply known as Brackla.

See also

• Royal Ordnance Factory
• Filling Factories
• Royal Ordnance