Munitions factory at Broken Hill 1942 - 1945
At Broken Hill, in addition to the intensification of mining operations for the production of strategic wartime metals, the mining companies manufactured sixty machines for munition purposes.
Following agitation begun in 1940, a munitions annexe was constructed at Broken Hill in 1942 at a cost in excess of 100,000 pounds (of which 25,000 pounds was contributed by the mining companies). In three years of operation, from October 1942 to September 1945, the annexe produced 637,606 nose cones assemblies for 25 lb shellS )each nose cap comprising 26 seperate machined, intricately fitting parts) at a cost of 150,000 pounds. The greatest number of employees at the munitions annexe was 384, which included 300 women.
Mr J. L. Mayson was seconded from the Zinc Corporation, Limited managed the annexe, assisted by Mr. J. Fiddaman, accountant and public officer. Miss A. M. Hill was in charge of the cafeteria; H. Docking was the paymaster; the industrial welfare officer was Mrs . M. M awson; social committee representative was Mrs. E. Kappe and shop shop steward J. E. Davey. After an unsuccessful attempt to convert the building into a clothing factory, the munitions annexe was presented to Broken Hill Technical College in 1946, for use in the training of apprentices. |
