ROF Maltby facts for kids
ROF Maltby was a special factory in Maltby, South Yorkshire, England. It was part of a group called Royal Ordnance Factories, which were owned by the British government. This factory played a very important role during World War II by making weapons like the famous Lee–Enfield rifle and the Sten submachine gun.
During the war, ROF Maltby made a huge number of weapons – more than 737,000! To show where a rifle was made, the ones from Maltby had special marks like M, RM, or ROF(M). This helped tell them apart from weapons made at other factories.
What Was ROF Maltby?
ROF Maltby was a factory built to make weapons for the British army. It was one of many factories set up by the government. These factories were super important during World War II. They made sure soldiers had the weapons they needed to fight.
Building a Secret Factory
ROF Maltby and another factory called ROF Fazakerley were built in the 1930s. This was before World War II officially started. The government wanted to make more weapons, but they also wanted to keep the factories safe. They chose locations that were less likely to be bombed by enemy planes.
These new factories were called "shadow factories." This name came from an earlier plan to build more military airplanes. It meant they were new, secret factories that would quickly increase production when needed. The main factory for making rifles in Britain during World War II was the BSA factory in Shirley. Another important factory, R.S.A.F. Enfield, focused on making other weapons like Bren Guns after 1941.
Why Was It Important?
ROF Maltby was a key part of Britain's effort in World War II. By making so many rifles and submachine guns, it helped equip the British and Allied forces. Without factories like Maltby, it would have been much harder to fight the war. The people who worked there, often including many women, played a vital role in supporting the war effort from home.
The Factory's Closure
After World War II ended, the need for so many weapons decreased. In July 1957, the British government announced in Parliament that ROF Maltby would close. Parliament is where elected representatives make laws and decisions for the country.
Work to take apart the factory started almost right away. By 1958, the entire factory had been taken down and removed. Today, the site where ROF Maltby once stood is no longer a weapon-making plant.
