ROF Newport facts for kids

The Royal Ordnance Factory Newport, often called ROF Newport, was a special factory in Wales that made weapons during World War II. It was built very quickly, starting in 1940 and finishing within a year. The factory made its first weapons by January 1941. About 2,000 people worked there during the war, building guns to fight tanks and airplanes. One of the most important weapons made was the Bofors 40 mm gun.

A famous painting from the war, Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring by Laura Knight, was created at this factory. It shows a factory worker named Ruby Loftus doing her job.

What Was ROF Newport?

The Newport Royal Ordnance Factory started being built in April 1940. It was on an empty piece of land near Corporation Road in Newport. Its official name was Royal Ordnance Factory No. 11, but everyone just called it ROF Newport.

Building the Factory

On November 7, 1940, a man named Sir Charles Northrup McLaren, who was in charge of all ordnance factories, officially opened it. When it opened, 120 women wanted to work there, and 75 of them were hired. New homes were even built just for the factory workers to live in. The workers also received a year of special training to learn their jobs.

Making Weapons for the War

Less than a year after building started, the factory finished its first gun in January 1941. Machines for making weapons were sent to ROF Newport from the United States. This was part of the Lend-Lease program, which helped Allied countries get supplies during the war. The factory became well known for making the Bofors 40 mm gun. This was a very important weapon used to shoot down enemy aircraft.

Life for Workers at ROF Newport

People working at the factory had long shifts, working ten hours at a time. They would switch between day and night shifts every two weeks. They also had an hour break for meals. The factory even had its own vegetable garden. They also kept pigs and chickens to provide fresh meat and eggs for the workers. The workers also created different sports clubs to play together in their free time. Between 1941 and 1945, about 2,000 men and women worked at ROF Newport.

After the War

After World War II ended in 1945, the factory was no longer needed for making weapons. It was closed down and later taken over by a company called Standard Telephones and Cables. Eventually, the factory buildings were torn down.