Record Details

Summary

A disused Second World War shell filling factory, located to the west of Featherstone. Some of the factory buildings, of red brick and concrete construction, still existed in varying states of dereliction in the early 21st century however much of the site has now been redeveloped.

Monument Type(s):

• FILLING FACTORY (Built, Second World War - 1940 AD to 1942 AD)
• FILLING FACTORY (Second World War, Second World War - 1940 AD to 1942 AD)

Associated Events:

• EST1878 - A building recording survey and watching brief at the former Royal Ordnance Factory, Featherstone, 2008. (NRHE Name - NOMS Featherstone) (Ref: 406.0155.00010)
• EST3481 - A survey of the Second World War Explosives Factory at Featherstone, 1996. (NRHE Name - ROF Featherstone Project)

Protected Status:

Full description

World War II shell filling factory located to the west of Featherstone. Many buildings still exist, in varying states of dereliction, built in red brick and concrete. (JM, 28/4/03) <1>

The Royal Ordnance Factory (No. 17 Featherstone) was built at a cost of £2.8 million between November 1940 and April 1942, although the full extent of the factory, its associated buildings, barracks and railway sidings were not shown on Ordnance Survey mapping until the 1960's. By this time the barracks for the factory were in use as a teacher training college named 'Brinsford Lodge'. The site at Featherstone was probably chosen because it was flat (so required minimum preparation), and was already adjacent to a main railway line for importing raw materials and sending out finished products. From the evidence of the buildings it is thought that heavy bombs were filled at the factory, along with the production of anti-tank shells and also .303 calibre cartridges for Lee Enfield rifles and Bren Guns. In 1945 shell filling activity ceased and the factory concentrated on penetrator production. The area to the north of the site was used by the Ministry of Defence for the storage of non-ferrous metals. The storage areas were transferred to the Home Office in the mid 1970's to allow the development of HM Prison Featherstone on this part of the factory site. The railway sidings were described in a Public Tender of 1970 as having '7 miles of track with accessories, a footbridge and a weighbridge. (SB, 29-Nov-2004) <2>

Prior to redevelopment a survey was undertaken of all remaining buildings on the site. Air raid shelters, workshops, factory buildings, areas where high explosives were manufactured, a toilet block and infirmary were all carefully recorded. Five additional structures of uncertain function were also noted. Two pillboxes on the site have separate records (PRN 52323 and PRN 52324). (HC, 12/12/2008). <3>

Sources and further reading

<1>	SST3781 - Verbal communication: McKnight, P (Staffordshire County Council). 2003. Site visit made to Featherstone Shell Filling Factory.
<2>	SST1367 - Desk Based Assessment Report: John Samuels Archaeological Consultants. 2002. A Desk-Based Archaeological Assessment of The Featherstone and Brinsford Major Development Area, Staffordshire. Pages 14-16.
<3>	SST1560 - Evaluation Report: SLR Consulting. 2008. NOMS Featherstone, Staffordshire: Standing Building Recording Survey and Watching Brief.

Related records

50419	Parent of: Pillbox, Royal Ordnance Factory, Featherstone (Building)
52323	Parent of: Pillbox, Royal Ordnance Factory, Featherstone (Monument)
52324	Parent of: Pillbox, Royal Ordnance Factory, Featherstone (Monument)

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