“Anti-aircraft shells, one of which exploded in a crowded factory, killing 12 people, including seven women, and injuring as many more, were the chief cause of damage during activity over the South Wales coastal area on Monday night”
The above statement appeared in the Western Mail on 29th March 1944. Significantly, it failed to mention the exact location of the factory and, more importantly, it failed to reveal the true origins of the shells. Such information could not be revealed as the British Press was, at that time, subject to severe Government censorship.
People living in Llanishen at the time would have been well aware of the location as the shed that was destroyed was part of the old Royal Ordnance Factory on the corner of Ty Glas Road and Caerphilly Road.
From 1936 onwards the Government, foreseeing that war was inevitable, began the building of armament factories. A number were built in South Wales, among them the one at Llanishen, covering 47 acres. Work commenced on levelling the site in 1939 and the first workshop came into production in late 1940. Production was first centred around the 25-pounder field gun, but, starting in 1941, priority was given to tank and anti-tank guns.
At its peak it employed over 3000 workers, mostly women, from Cardiff and the valleys.
The damage to the factory was caused by an artillery shell fired from one of a number of anti-aircraft guns located at strategic places to protect the city from aircraft approaching over the channel.
A 3.7-inch Heavy-Antiaircraft Gun, of the type which fired the fatal shell
One of these guns was located at Gabalfa and, for reasons which were never explained, one of its shells went in the wrong direction and landed on the factory, causing damage and killing and injuring a number of workers.
On 3rd April two memorial services were held in the East Canteen of the factory, one for the day shift and one for the night shift.
No report of these services can be traced in the local press in the following days. A correspondent, writing in the Echo in 2005, recalls that the opening hymn sung at the services was “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform”.
The Memorial Service sheet for those killed in the 1944 tragedy
Llanishen History 
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