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Welshpool Ammunitions Factory
When WW2 war broke out in 1939, the government quickly realised Australia needed to produce a lot more ammunition locally, rather than relying on overseas supplies, especially if Australia was suddenly cut off from the rest of the Commonwealth.
Perth was selected for one of six small munitions factories across the nation because of its distance from potential bombing raids on the eastern states. Welshpool was chosen, as it already had access to railway lines, an emerging industrial zone and enough space to build a large-scale facility.
Construction of Small Arms Ammunition Factory (SAAF) No.6 began in the early 1940s, spanning a circular-shaped area bounded by Welshpool Road and Tomlinson Road. By August 1941, construction included 23 buildings and purpose-built machinery, costing around £400,000.
The site was officially known as the Welshpool Ammunition Annexe, operating under the control of the Commonwealth Munitions Department.
What the Factory Produced
The Welshpool factory primarily focused on manufacturing .303 rifle ammunition, the standard cartridge for Australian forces. This calibre was used by “Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, Vickers and Bren machine-guns” and the Lee Enfield Rifle. It also manufactured other small-calibre rounds needed for rifles, machine guns and training purposes.
A large part of the work was highly detailed and required precision, from preparing brass cartridge cases to fitting bullets and gunpowder. The factory had separate workshops and assembly lines to avoid accidents and reduce risks in case of explosions.
Local Jobs and Wartime Effort
With many men serving abroad in the armed forces, women stepped into roles traditionally held by men. They worked on production lines, operated machinery and played a key role in maintaining the supply of ammunition to the front lines.
At its peak, the factory operated around the clock in three shifts. Many locals later recalled how it was their first proper job or their first taste of industrial work.
In support of safe operations, nearby facilities like cordite magazines were established at Woodman Point Reserve in 1942, with rail connections set up to supply the factory. This ensured a steady flow of raw materials and maintained workplace safety.
Safety and Secrecy
Like many wartime munitions factories, workers weren’t allowed to discuss their jobs outside of work and the site was heavily guarded. Accidents were always a concern, given the risks of handling explosives but the facility maintained a strong safety record under tight supervision.
After the War
When the war ended in 1945, demand for ammunition quickly dropped. The factory began winding down, with the fuse shop closing in July and the site gradually scaling back operations before eventually shutting down and being decommissioned. Much of the machinery was either dismantled or moved elsewhere.
In 1947, the federal government sold the site to Chamberlain Industries, which began manufacturing tractors. Over the following decades, Chamberlain continued producing agricultural equipment before they closed in 1986. The site became Bradford Kendall’s foundry, which was taken over by Australian National Industries (ANI) in 1991 and renamed Bradken.
In November 2016, Bradken sold the foundry for $7.1 million to Reidoz Engineering, who've been operating from the site ever since.
Today, almost all of the original wartime buildings from the Welshpool ammunition factory have been demolished and the site has since been subdivided. The only building still standing is at 9 Adams Drive, Welshpool with its old-style corrugated iron roof and gabled ends, along with sheet metal walls from the WWII era. The building has been reused over the years and is now used for metal fabrication but it’s one of the last physical reminders of the factory’s wartime history.
