Historic Reviews and Timeline 1942
Written by Administrator-
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| January | The GIs began to arrive in Britain. Austerity began in earnest. Soap was rationed to 3 oz per month. Single bananas and onions were used as raffle prizes. The Home Guard was recruited to serve in ack-ack batteries. | |
| January | The effluent system was accepted by Process. | |
| January | The production of 30 lb Mark I and Mark IM bombs ceased. | |
| 13 January | The heaters were switched on in the Woodside tanks for the first time. | |
| February | On the recommendation of Special Products Division the Ministry of Supply authorized the provision one 250 ton capacity tank for Woodside. | |
| February | Warnings that the country’s fuel position was becoming precarious were issued. | |
| 15 February | The Fall of Singapore. | |
| 17 February | The last tank (No. 37) was in position in the tunnels and filling was started. | |
| 18 February | A blockage of The Bryn Alyn Air Valve caused ground contamination and a 10 hour stoppage. | |
| 27 February | The toxic pit was covered to obviate noxious fumes. | |
| March | C.E.M.A gave their first performance but did not appear again until March 1943, they then averaged a concert every two months. | |
| March | Mr Slazenger and Mr Tooms of Mold were appointed visiting dentists to the works employees. | |
| March | A separate ventilation system was installed in the K5 toxic area. | |
| 7 March | The Wings for Victory Week raised £4,314 with commitments for weekly deductions of £115 per week. | |
| 13 March | Monthly Film shows were started, at mid-day by the Ministry of Information (MoI) Film Unit. | |
| April | Works concerts were begun but it was a year before the Entertainments Committee was formed and regular concerts were produced. | |
| April | The underground bulk storage system was in use by Process and the final ventilation tests were proceeding. | |
| April | Smoke Generator filling began. This was carbon tetrachloride based as there was a shortage of hexachloroethylene. | |
| 6 April | No more white bread was to be made. | |
| 24 April | All tanks at Woodside were now fitted with heaters. | |
| May | HB and HBD began to be stored at Woodside. | |
| May | The carbon dioxide bonus scheme for boiler house staff was instituted. | |
| 5 May | H.R.H. The Duke of Kent visited. | |
| 12 May | Workers Playtime starring Robb Wilton was broadcast from Valley. | |
| 2 June | All the heaters at Woodside were switched off. | |
| June | Woman now worked a six shift rota system including Sundays. | |
| June | After discussions between the Ministry of Supply , the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research (DSIR) and the Special Products Dept it was decided that building P6 could suitably be adapted for use by DSIR (As a site for a pilot gaseous diffusion cell). The sum of £11,200 was approved to cover alterations and additions. | |
| Mid June | The corroding and swelling of 65 lb bombs was traced to the presence of sulphonium chlorides in the Runcol. This was treated and fixed by washing it in acidified water. | |
| July | The MoS approved the installation for storage facilities for 1,250 tons of carbon tetrachloride. | |
| July | A.R.P. duties became the responsibility of the A.R.P. Controller and so passed out of the hands of the Fire Chief. | |
| July | 4.2” mortar shell production began. | |
| 15 July | The King and Queen visited. | |
| Summer | Process labour was at its maximum and there was one male charge hand and two leading hands per shift and one female supervisor and three leading hands per shift (one toxic). The amount of labour on shift was in the region of 180 men and 350-380 women. | |
| Summer | The 250 ton tank was installed at Woodside. | |
| 23 July | The Y-Grade Scheme introduced. | |
| September | The 250 ton storage tank at Woodside was completed. | |
| September | The revised capital cost estimate for the factory as at 31 March 1942 was approved by the MoS. The cost amounted to £3,064,655 | |
| 22 September | R.Thomas (ex-Hillhouse) succeeded G.H.Hirst as Works Manager. | |
| October | Modifications to the storm weir were completed. | |
| October | The Women’s Mechanical Safety Committee was formed. | |
| 4 October | The 250 ton tank at Woodside was filled from tanks 20, 21, 22, 24 to its full capacity. | |
| 5 October | The first pipeline load from R3 to K4 was transferred. It took approximately one hour. The transfer from R3 to K4 took longer. | |
| October-Nov | Battle of El Alamein. | |
| 7 November | There was an accident with the gland sealing water supply at the neutralization part of the pumping plant and seven men incurred slight injuries. (V/MEMO/1) | |
| December | A Mechanical Safety Officer was appointed. | |
| December | Safety regulations were published. |
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Timeline of Rhydymwyn Valley

