Monument record 86/1 - Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon

The ordnance depot at Weedon Bec was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1803 and the larger part of the site was constructed between 1804 and 1816. It was built for the Board of Ordnance to provide a secure inland store for gunpowder, firearms and other military stores, which could be transported by the nearby Grand Junction Canal. The original buildings included eight storehouses, four magazines, two lodges, accommodation for the Board's officials and a canal basin. Four storehouses were converted to a barracks and two into a military prison. The outbreak of the First World War saw several new storehouses and workshops added to the depot and the prison was closed. Later additions to the depot used temporary buildings of the Nissen Hut type with a single permanent office block added during 1941. The depot was gradually emptied after the Second World War and closed in 1965. It was then used as a Home Office Store until final closure in 1984.

{1}The Depot was established by act of Parliament in 1803 and by 1809 it was being used for the storage of small arms and ordnance.The Magazine was a little way from the eight monumental brick and stone storehouses and was also walled. Four brick magazines were built, separated by what appear to be smaller buildings which are in fact earth-filled blast walls. Barrack accommodation was provided nearby but this disappeared some time ago.In the First World war the Depot was used as a clothing distribution centre and three large sheds were erected for additional space.Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Depot reverted to the storage of weapons and a large prefabricated concrete office was built to handle administration, an early example of this form of construction.The early buildings are still preserved, but in multiple occupation. New housing has encroached on the view of the Magazine. There has been some pilferage of slate from buildings which would lead to deterioration of roof timbers and ultimately the integrity of the walls.

{2}Construction of the Depot (NGR approx centre SP629595) began in 1803. It contained stores, barracks and accommodation. The Depot operated through both World Wars with new buildings being added. Between the wars the barracks became the Army School of Equitation with the nearby Pavilions providing the Officers Mess. Military use ended in 1965 when the Royal Army Ordnance Corps finally moved out of the Depot. Following a period of use by the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works and the Home Office parts of the surrounding military estate were sold off. In 1983 the Property Services Agency sold the surviving Depot buildings into private hands. Many remain in light industrial and storage use though subject to re-development proposals. The barracks and Pavilions were previously demolished leaving the Depot as the main surviving component. Within the Depot a number of buildings (Nissen/Romney hut stores and accommodation primarily), of 20th century origin have been demolished in recent years. The 20th century structures below survived in early 1996 but face demolition. Note that the Weedon Bec History Society have much additional information on the development and use of the Depot. A reprint of a history of the Depot 'Weedon Royal Ordnance Depot Revisited' (WBHS 1996) published by the Society in 1996 makes reference to 6 'sub' or 'Relief Depots' and 14 'Home Industry Scheme' sites located throughout the county during WW2.{3}A photo showing the railway transport at Weedon Bec Depot during the second world war.

{4} Drill Station in 1914 for D Sqdn Northants Yeomanry & B Coy 4 Bn Northants Regt.

{7} Fieldwork and documentary research based report which includes description of all buildings still standing within the complex in 1997. The report also provides chapters of the 'historical context' and 'site development'. The former includes a useful overview which includes reference to the extensive construction of prefabricated structures as additional stores during WW1, and to the Depot's inter-war, WW2 and later use (p10-11).
During WW2 building work "was directed by the concern" over aerial bombardment. " … magazines were rebuilt to accept anti-aircraft ammunition and became part of the ammunition supply system to the belt of anti-aircraft guns that would defend the midland cities." "The threat of attack from the air and the demands for vast quantities of supplies by mechanised armies fighting on fronts all over the world, ensured Weedon's decline as a major stores depot. New large stores .." were opened, more dispersed in nature, undergrounded or camouflaged. Greater emphasis also placed on streamlining procedures and improving handling. Weedon remained a "small concentrated target for the bomber and the large two-storeyed storehouses made mechanical handling difficult. To cope with these problems Weedon initially dispersed its stores around Northamptonshire but by 1944 Weedon itself had became a dispersed sub-store of the new central stores depot at Bicester. It is notable that the only one large building was added at Weedon during the war and this was an office building for the clerks who kept track of the dispersed stores."
After the war the Depot stored weapons returned by demobilised troops. This role continued and by 1957 the Depot involved in re-equiping the Army with the new SLR rifles by storing the old Lee-Enfield rifles. Old weapons storage remained its last principal role until closure in 1965.

{9} Reminisences of Weedon Depot and the School of Equitation in 1940.

{10} Photo with the caption " Though horse power was generally outdated in WW2, it was still used in some theatres of war. Here mules for a mountain battery are loaded at the ex-LNWR station at Weedon on April 22nd 1942. The station saw a considerable amount of horse traffic, due to its proximity to the Army Equestrian Centre."

{16} SP 615 596. In 1803 by Act of Parliament 53 acres were purchased at Weedon Bec for the erection of the Royal Military Depot. It was one of many new establishments built at this date by the Board of Ordnance to counter the renewed threat of French invasion. Weedon Bec was destined to become a major armaments, gunpowder and stores depot and a redoubt in the event of invasion with provision to accommodate the royal family. It was chosen due to its central inland location, away from any invasion coasts and due to its
proximity to the Grand Union Canal vital for the efficent movement of stores.

As originally laid out the depot consisted of a central canal spur off the Grand Union known as Ordnance Canal. It entered the walled depot through the east lodge, a two storey structure surmounted by a cupola, the canal entrance protected by a portcullis. Inside the depot this canal was flanked by four large brick and stone faced two
storey store buildings. The whole of the stores depot was surrounded by a high brick wall with projecting turrets along its length to provide a clear view along its length. The western exit from the walled stores area was also protected by a lodge with portcullis. About 300 yards beyond this lodge was another walled area housing four gunpowder magazines ranged along the north side of the central canal. The magazines separated from one another by earth filled brick traverses. The plan of the depot remained essentially unchanged throughout the nineteenth century although a few buildings were added.

Outside of the walled depot areas was a large barracks and three grand pavilions built to house the depot's governor and principal officers, all were demolished during the 1960s. Also associated with the depot is an earthwork known as the `Redoubt' which may have formed part of the early nineteenth century outer defences
surrounding the depot (SP 65 NW 10).

During the Great War semi-circular Nissen type huts were erected to increase the storage capacity of the depot. In the Second World War alterations were made to a number of the existing buildings and minor additions made to the depot including a gas decontamination centre.

The depot was officially closed on 16th February 1965.

{17} Dates and monument list amended to follow: Evans, 2006.

<1> LOWRY B, 1997, WEEDON ROYAL ORDNANCE DEPOT, (unchecked) (Article). SNN41780.

<2> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, p.24 (unchecked) (Report). SNN104868.

<3> HAWKINS, 1995, BRITISH RAILWAYS ILLUSTRATED, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN39511.

<4> Osborne M., 2002, Fieldwork Survey of Military Buildings: Drill Halls, Barracks & Depots: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Note). SNN103251.

<5> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 1996-2013, Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group Newsletter, Issue 110 p.11 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN55360.

<6> Pulley S., 1992, From Roman Villa To Military Occupation - Seventeen Centuries On (Part I), No.83 p.36 (unchecked) (Article). SNN3430.

<6> Pulley S., 1992, From Roman Villa To Military Occupation - Seventeen Centuries On (Part III), No.83 p.36 (unchecked) (Article). SNN107267.

<7> MENUGE A.; WILLIAMS A., 1999, Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN63064.

<8> MENUGE A.; WILLIAMS A., 1999, Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire, Interim Report, September 1998, (unchecked) (Interim Report). SNN62807.

<9> Brereton, J.M., 1948, Stand By Your Horses, pp.300/312 (unchecked) (Article). SNN107050.

<10> Nock, O.S., 1971, Britain's Railways at War 1939-45, (unchecked) (Book). SNN107051.

<11> Williams B., 2003, Captain Pilkington's Project: The Great Works at Weedon 1804 to 1816, (unchecked) (Book). SNN102406.

<12> 1999, Former Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire, Primary Sources (Appendix NB/C), (unchecked) (Report). SNN100465.

<13> Gibbs, L., 2005, Storehouse Enclosure, Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire: Conservation Plan Volume I Report, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109505.

<14> Gibbs, L., 2005, Storehouse Enclosure, Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire: Conservation Plan Volume II Gazetteer, (unchecked) (Report). SNN109506.

<15> Various, Catalogue of records associated with the Royal Ordnance Depot, Weedon (Catalogue). SNN110844.

<16> Cocroft W.D., 2000, Dangerous Energy - The archaeology of gunpowder and military explosives manufacture (Book). SNN101526.

<17> Evans, D., 2006, Arming the Fleet, The Development of Royal Ordnance Yards 1770 - 1945 (Book). SNN115186.

<18> King J.E., 1996, Weedon Royal Ordnence Depot Revisited (Book). SNN39687.

<19> Save Britain's Heritage, 1993, Deserted Bastions: Historic Naval & Military Architecture (Book). SNN77131.

<20> Historic England, Royal Ordnance Depot, Bridge Street, Weedon Bec, BF097080 (Archive). SNN115187.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:53PM