Nia Griffith MP is backing Burry Port resident Les George in his efforts to ensure that visitors to Pembrey Country Park are made aware of the history of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Pembrey.
The MP is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the recognition of munitions workers, whose efforts to date have resulted in munitions workers being allowed to take part in the Whitehall Cenotaph Ceremony on November 11th 2012.
Speaking up In a debate called by the group to highlight the cause, Nia said,
“Whilst on a national level we are seeking some form of recognition for the surviving munitions workers such as a badge like those given to veterans, land girls and Bevin boys and a permanent memorial to munitions workers, to be sited at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, on a local level, I am very grateful indeed to the work done by Mr Les George tin tracing the history of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Pembrey.
He has prepared the story for display in the restaurant in the country park, and I think his idea of information boards out in the park is one that we should pursue with the County Council, which owns the park.
During the two world wars this dirty, smelly, dangerous work was done largely by women like Les ‘ mother, and by the middle of the second world war, some 90 per cent of single women and 80 per cent of married women were involved in the war effort, a fact which is often overlooked. I am sure that there are many families in the area who have stories to tell about ROF Pembrey. It would be good to hear from them.”