Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - A History of Penarth Dock by Roy Thorne . . .

Chapter Six - 1939 - 1945 - The World War II Years

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 it was essential to use every available quay space in the ports on the western side of the United Kingdom. The eastern and southern ports were more vulnerable to the Atlantic across which vital supplies of food, petrol and armament came. Penarth Dock was brought into operation.

On the south quay the four remaining coal tips were brought into use for bunkering ships. The north quay was made ready for the handling of military stores and equipment. New roadways, railway tracks and transit sheds were built.

"Nissen" huts, the dome shaped roof topped prefabricated buildings which were a common sight at war time establishments were erected. Old buildings were renovated to provide offices for the armed services staffs. On the north quay a battery of electrically operated cranes which had been brought from an East coast port were set up.

In July 1940 Penarth Dock was completely ready and large quantities of stores and equipment were sent to our forces overseas. One of the earliest shipments was to Iceland. It was a port where particularly dangerous cargoes such as petrol, ammunition and bombs were handled. Planes and trucks were also shipped.

The Luftwaffe attacked Penarth on a number of occasions particularly between the summers of 1940 and 1941. During these attacks seven civilians were killed and many injured. Houses were severely damaged in Salop Street, Glebe Street, Redlands Road and Clive Place, and many suffered minor damage.

Llandough School was hit and rendered useless and incendiary bombs fell on Albert School. Holy Nativity Church was gutted except for the chancel, and All Saints Church, which had previously been severely damaged by a fire in 1926, was again gutted by fire bombs.

No doubt the target was the dock. It nestled under the northern slope and was protected by barrage balloons making it a difficult target.

There were also casualties to ships. A bucket dredger was superficially damaged and one grab dredger seriously damaged in Penarth Dock during an air attack.