This video offers a fascinating look into the hazardous work of the workers in ROF danger areas during World War II. It highlights the risks they faced and the crucial role they played in the war effort.
During World War II, various types of explosives were used by different countries, including TNT (Trinitrotoluene), RDX (Cyclotrimethylene trinitramine), and PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate). These explosives were used in the production of bombs, shells, and other munitions. It is worth noting that many of these explosives were highly dangerous to handle, and the workers involved in their production faced significant risks to their health and safety.
This video provides a unique perspective on the dangerous work undertaken by the workers in the "danger buildings" of the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) during World War II. While there is no available footage of the Woolwich Arsenal ROF danger building area, the video depicts a similar environment in a different ROF danger area.
It is believed that the footage could be from ROF Bishopston, ROF Wrexham or ROF Ranskill as the equipment shown appears newer than that used at Woolwich Arsenal. These ROFs were built during WW2, while the Royal Arsenal danger buildings were constructed much earlier.
The video primarily focuses on the filling of shells with an experimental explosive, a task that the manager is asked to complete by the Navy within 24 hours. The manager embarks on the task and works alongside a group of men who are kept on for a continuous shift lasting 23 hours. While there are some moments of hesitation among the men, the manager is able to motivate them to continue with the task. The process is not without its challenges, however, including the explosive "reasserting" itself, making it difficult for fuses to fit. Despite these obstacles, the job is completed on time.
The video also offers insight into various aspects of the working environment within the ROF. Workers in the "clean" area, for example, are required to wear special shoes, while special surfaces are used to ensure careful and unhurried movement. Some tasks, such as mixing explosives and filling shells, are carried out by remote control from behind blast walls to minimise the risk of injury. Experimental explosive L8 is mentioned.
The Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Information sponsored the production of this video, which was produced by Verity. The Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) was the regiment/service responsible for the production of experimental explosives and filled shells during World War II. Notably, the Royal Arsenal Woolwich was the only ROF that both made explosives and filled shells.
It is suggested that shell filling in this video may have been undertaken at another location, possibly Glascoed (Welsh accent can be heard to back this statement up).
The shell filling team of 30 men the in section Section 8. Glascoed was a Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) in Wales that was responsible for the production of various types of ammunition, including shells, during World War II.
010 compound is mentioned during the video. TBC - the explosive mixture known as Amatol 010 is a combination of ammonium nitrate and TNT (trinitrotoluene). It was widely used during World War II by the Allied forces due to its high explosive power and stability. The mixture was used in the production of various munitions, including bombs and shells.
All the Royal Arsenal Photo negatives and remaining history are stored at Glascoed sent by RAWHS Royal Arsenal Woolwich History society in 2010.
BAE Systems is the current owner of the ROF Bishopston site. They house a small environmental test facility and gun propulsion laboratory at Bishopton. The rest of the ground is being developed into housing
British explosives during WW2
Amatex is a mixture of RDX and ammonium nitrate developed in the UK for use in bombs and shells.
RDX was a highly powerful and stable explosive developed in the UK in the 1930s and used in various munitions during the war.
Tetryl is an explosive closely related to RDX, used by the British and other Allied forces in bombs, shells, and other ordnance.
Torpex is a high explosive developed by the UK and used by the Allies in anti-submarine weapons and other ordnance. It was a mixture of TNT, RDX, and aluminum powder.
Composition C was an experimental explosive developed in the UK during World War II, consisting of RDX and wax.
PE4 (Plastic Explosive 4) is a type of plastic explosive developed in the UK in the 1950s, but based on research and development done during World War II. It was widely used by the British military in various types of munitions.
Many of these explosives were highly dangerous to handle and required careful handling and storage
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