Memories wanted of Shropshire wartime depot
A researcher is hoping to tap into the memories of thousands of Salopians who served at the massive Central Ordnance Depot in Donnington so that he can tell the story of the men and women who provided the vital back-up for the front line troops and helped the Allies win the war.
Phil Williams has a family connection with that story, as his late mother Betty Williams, nee Perks, worked in the War Office with his late father Major-General Williams, who led the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the war and who visited Donnington periodically. His mother compiled some fascinating scrapbooks, but Phil is after more.
"What would bring the story alive, though, would be the words of those people who were there," said Phil, who is from Lincoln. "Many stories have been told of World War Two, but I don't see in the bookshops the wider story of those who supplied the troops, often at great personal danger. I want to tell that story."
He is appealing to anyone who has a story to tell, or a written account, to contact him at 07761 836555 or by email at philhwilliams@gmail.com.
"I am writing the story of a quiet revolution which transformed a vital part of the British Army, in the inter-war years made moribund by cautious civil servants and dithering politicians, into the muscular artery which ensured the troops landing on D Day had all they needed to do their job.
"The organisation was the Royal Army Ordnance Corps whose job it was to supply the Army with all it needed, apart from food and fuel," he said.
He said the Donnington site began with a need to move the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich to a location where it would be safe from German bombers.
"Donnington in the Shropshire countryside had been chosen by the War Office as the perfect site.
"Under the command of Brigadier de Wolff, Donnington grew into a huge depot employing some 15,000 soldiers, 3,200 ATS, 2,000 Italian prisoners of war and 4,000 civilians. It was state-of-the-art and hugely effective in doing its job.
"It suppled many tanks to Russia. It had some of the first mobile radar. De Wolff had reputation for discipline and he used this well as he blended together the essential business skills of warehousing and distribution with soldiering. Did you or did anyone you know work there?"
