Flintshire Memories: Wartime espionage in the heart of Flintshire

By Flintshire Chronicle on Jun 19, 09 10:05 AM in 1900-1999

A LOCAL historian claims to have unearthed a fascinating story of wartime espionage deep in the heart of Flintshire.

Colin Barber, of Lixwm, has delved deep into the archives.

He says his research has shown one of the 20th century's most notorious Soviet agents leaked atomic weapons research from the top-secret munitions factory at Rhydymwyn.

Nuclear scientist and Soviet spy Klaus Fuchs was 'leaking like a sieve' during his time at the village's Valley Works, says Colin.

He believes his research into the base, which was originally set up to make chemical weapons, proves conclusively that Fuchs was supplying the Soviets with classified information.

"All the documentation shows he was leaking information from day one of his time as a scientist in the UK," says Colin.

"And that includes his time here at the Valley Works."

His own research has led to the Valley History Society pledging to create an oral history of the works, titled Yesterday Once More.

The project is financially supported by Cadwyn Clwyd's Rural Development Plan through its Flintshire Community Heritage Project.

On Sunday, June 21, it will open the plant's locked gates and tunnels to the public and reveal some of its long-held secrets.

Cadwyn Clwyd project officer Adam Bishop said: "It's a fascinating story and Colin Barber and his team have unearthed some incredible and very important information."
"They are also providing an essential service for Flintshire and for Wales in ensuring that these priceless memories of the war effort on the Home Front are preserved for future generations."

Fuchs, a German-Jewish scientist, fled persecution by the Nazis and came to Britain in the 1930s.

He earned his PhD in Physics at the University of Bristol and in 1942, despite having been interned, was granted British citizenship and even signed the Official Secrets Act.

At Rhydymwyn he worked for a year on highly sensitive research into the manufacture of weapons-grade uranium, all the time passing those secrets to the Soviets.

After leaving Wales in 1943, Fuchs went to the USA to work on the Manhattan Project which ultimately led to the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

"He was a life-long Communist and considered it his duty to leak information to the Soviets, he felt they had a right to know about the research," says Colin.

"That's why they were so much ahead of us. Because Fuchs worked in so many departments he was able to let them have the results of that research. It saved them money and time."

Most of those who worked at the Valley Works and lived nearby knew nothing about the top-secret work and clandestine spying activities that went on behind its fences.
At the outbreak of war, ICI was asked to create a chemical plant in the Alyn Valley.

The site was chosen for this sensitive role because of its history of industry and infrastructure of roads and a railway that had been built there.

At first the factory, which was so secret it didn't feature on any local maps, made mustard bombs and smoke grenades for the Allied Forces.

It wasn't until 1942, as part of Britain's secret 'Tube Alloys' project, that work into producing weapons-grade uranium with atomic potential, began.

Many of the Valley Works scientists, including Fuchs, later went on to work in post-war atomic research at home and abroad.

Fuchs confessed all in 1950, was stripped of his British citizenship and spent nearly 10 years in a British prison. When he was released in 1959 he emigrated to Soviet-occupied East Germany and is believed to have helped Chinese physicists with their atomic research.

Doris Hughes, originally from Treuddyn, is one of those who worked in the factory, between 1939 and 1942.

"We would hear rumours that something secret was going on, but that was about it," says Mrs Hughes, who now lives in Mold.

"We signed the Official Secrets Act and I remember the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visiting us, but nothing was published in the newspapers about that because it was secret.

"Very much later I heard we were involved in atomic weapon research. I suppose if I'd known at the time it would have frightened the life out of me."

Mrs Hughes began work in 1939 as a munitions assembler before moving into the time keeping and costing department.

"It didn't bother me that the work was potentially dangerous," she said.

"We were really quite excited about it. Sometimes the mustard would leak out but we just washed it off with buckets of water that were around the factory.

"I'd worked in a dress shop up until then and I must admit when I came here I thoroughly enjoyed it, working with all the girls. We had a lovely time."

Anyone interested in Cadwyn Clwyd's Flintshire Community Heritage Project can contact Adam Bishop on 01824 705802 or email adam.bishop@cadwynclwyd.co.uk

For tickets or further information about the Valley History Society go to www.rvsweb.org.uk

The picture shows Doris Hughes at the entrance to the Valley Works site, which will be opened to the public on Sunday.