Bradford & District | Archive | 2000 | August | 4
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 4th Aug 2000.
Popularly known as "The Dump", the Royal Ordnance Factory started production early in 1941 and closed down in August 1945.
For security reasons, no photographers were ever allowed inside. Even the details of this visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in March, 1942, had to be restricted.
The Keighley News of the time could only mention "a North-Eastern factory."
One worker recalled: "We knew someone important was coming as everywhere had to be spick and span, but we didn't realise it would be the King and Queen."
The Queen toured the factory's 1,000-seater canteen and two surgeries and spoke to some of the workers, being told how "every soldier's wife at the factory had a holiday when her husband came home on leave".
Statistics were released only after the Royal Ordnance Factory's closure. It had produced 204 million munition components, including 63 million shells and 120 million 20mm cases. At its peak it employed over 4,000 workers - two thirds were unskilled women, many drafted there as an alternative to conscription into the forces.
Workers were brought by special trains and buses from 62 towns and villages, as far apart as Bradford, Nelson and Barnoldswick.
Staff provided most of their own lunch-time entertainment, but had an ENSA concert once a fortnight.
"The Dump" even ran a seven-acre farm, keeping up to 30 pigs at a time and supplying its canteen with pork and vegetables.
Two shop stewards, Mrs W Feeney and Mrs M Stovold, were subsequently awarded the MBE.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008