Swindon Works Gallery

Leatherwork for howitzers and 8 pdr guns, made at Swindon Works, c.1915

This array of items shows the type of leatherwork that was undertaken at Swindon Works for both howitzers and 8 pdr guns, as requested by the Royal Arsenal. 26 different sizes of buckles and straps are pictured here, ranging in widths and lengths. Also pictured are a range of different shaped pouches and cases, presumably used for carrying ammunition, tools and equipment associated with the guns

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Brake Third coach No. 3307 converted into a mobile cleansing unit, 1941

The fear of gas attack was of paramount concern during World War II, as demonstrated by the mass issuing of gas masks prior to the outbreak of war in 1939. One of the responsibilities of the ARP services was to lead the decontamination and cleansing process in the event of such an attack. Mobile cleansing units were made available to the ARP service to clean people who had been exposed to gas attack, and in July 1941 the GWR converted Brake Third coach No. 3307 into an ARP Cleansing Unit for this purpose. The van was equipped with an air lock leading to an undressing room, showers, and further along the vehicle, a dressing room stocked with fresh clothing. As can be seen in this photograph, the windows were completely blacked out and they were also made to be blast proof. This was one of 47 such units converted by the major railway companies, which were stationed at strategic locations for immediate dispatch to any station or rail depot where they were needed

Air raid damage to the gas holder at Swindon Works, 1942

Swindon Works following the air raid on 27th July 1942. The gas holder at the gas works is pock-marked by machine gun fire from a lone aircraft that had swooped over the town early in the morning. A fire broke out in the gas holder, but it was quickly put out and the holes were plugged with clay to prevent any further damage. It is interesting to note the strange breathing apparatus worn by the two men in the left of the image; presumably masks to combat the effects of any escaping gas