Does anyone out there have any idea when Royal Ordnance Factory No. 11 Newport closed down at the end of World War II. Every source I have consulted states 2 pounder antitank guns and 40mm Bofors antiaircraft guns were made at Newport. One government source states the factory was taken over by Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd. "after the war." Sources on bayonet manufacturers state ROF Newport made 100,000 No. 7 bayonets but no one has ever seen one. No. 7 bayonets were supposedly made from 1945 to 1948. If the factory closed "after the war" could they have made 100,000?
Great post I never knew about the factory, yet I have driven past that area often..... and here is a excellent link. http://www.wartimenewport.virtuallyhere.co.uk/story.php?story_id=107 and from the link this book about the factory will have to see if I can get a copy being as I was born in Newport. Wartime Newport: the Gun Factory (ISBN 0-9519136-0-3) which was published by Newport Museum and Art Gallery in 2006.
Found this does it help? 176,000 No. 7 Mk. I/L bayonets were produced. The design was perfected by the Wilkinson Sword Co., who produced 1,000 bayonets in 1944. Mass production was carried out by four manufacturers from 1945-1948. The four makers and their production are as follows: Birmingham Small Arms, Ltd. - 25,000; Elkington & Co. Ltd., Birmingham - 20,000; Royal Ordinance Factory, Poole – 30,000; and Royal Ordinance Factory, Newport – 100,000. Examples are found with both reddish-brown and black grips. http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/enfieldbayonets/
