# MOD Donnington

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MOD_Donnington
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MOD_Donnington.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOD_Donnington
> Source revision: 1330506293
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|British military base}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name          = MOD Donnington
| native_name   = 
| partof        = 
| location      = [Donnington, Telford](/source/Donnington%2C_Telford), [Shropshire](/source/Shropshire)
| country       = England
| image         = 250px
| caption       = Entrance to Venning Barracks
| image2        = File:MinistryofDefence.svg
| map_type      = Shropshire
| pushpin_label = MOD Donnington
| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Shropshire
| coordinates   = {{coord|52.72182|-2.44415|type:landmark|display=inline}}
| map_size      = 
| map_alt       = 
| type          = Barracks <br>
Logistics centre
| code          = 
| builder       = 
| materials     = 
| height        = 
| used          = 1936&ndash;Present <br>
2017–Present (Defence Fulfilment Centre)
| demolished    = 
| condition     = 
| ownership     = [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom))
| controlledby  = 
| garrison      = 
| current_commander = 
| commanders    = 
| occupants     = 174 Provost Company, RMP
| battles       = 
| events        = 
}}

'''MOD Donnington''' is a [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) site that consists of a [British Army](/source/British_Army) barracks and the Defence Fulfilment Centre, and is situated to the north of [Donnington, Telford](/source/Donnington%2C_Telford), [Shropshire](/source/Shropshire).

==History==
The site was chosen in 1936 as one of a number of less vulnerable locations for storing ordnance and other military equipment previously kept at London's [Woolwich Arsenal](/source/Royal_Arsenal). This was designed to provide employment in what was then a depressed area, following the closure of the [Lilleshall Company](/source/Lilleshall_Company)'s New Yard engineering works in [St George's](/source/St_George's_and_Priorslee) several years earlier.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lilleshall Company New Yard, St Georges |url=http://theminerswalk.org/st-georges/lilleshall-company-new-yard/ |access-date=31 July 2021 |publisher=The Miner's Walk}}</ref>

Development from greenfield site begun in 1939, during 1940 the depot was established and at the end of the year [Brigadier Charles Esmond de Wolff](/source/Charles_Esmond_de_Wolff) was appointed commandant and garrison commander. During 1941–1942, the depot increased significantly in size, and at the end of 1941, 9,600 all ranks worked on the site. Brigadier de Wolff also convinced Wellington District Council to build housing for the civilian staff, many of whom had moved from Woolwich. Eventually 1,500 houses were built outside the COD.<ref>Brigadier A. H. Fernyhough, ''History of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1920–1945'', RAOC, Blackdown, 1966, pp.412–419</ref>

By 1980, COD Donnington (along with [COD Bicester](/source/MoD_Bicester)) was one of just two remaining Central Ordnance Depots overseen by the [Royal Army Ordnance Corps](/source/Royal_Army_Ordnance_Corps); nevertheless, in the 1970s and 80s, it grew to be one of the largest military store complexes in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dreams that glory days will return to Telford's Donnington army base |url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/11/21/dreams-that-glory-days-will-return-to-telfords-donnington-army-base/ |website=Shropshire Star}}</ref> It remains in use as a storage depot, although the complex was scaled back following two serious fires (in 1983 and 1988).<ref>{{cite web |title=Shropshire History |url=http://shropshirehistory.com/military/camps.htm |accessdate=13 September 2016}}</ref>

At the turn of the millennium, further investment took place as Parsons Barracks (named after Major-General [Sir Harold Parsons](/source/Harold_Parsons)) and Venning Barracks (named after General [Sir Walter Venning](/source/Walter_Venning)) were developed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leisure Time |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/section_4_hereford_07.pdf |accessdate=26 November 2014 |publisher=Ministry of Defence}}</ref>

The base housed the [Historic Weapons Collection](/source/Donnington_Historic_Weapons_Collection) until it moved to [Maldon, Essex](/source/Maldon%2C_Essex) in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 April 2010 |title=Firearms collection opens to the public |url=http://www.yellowad.co.uk/article.cfm?id=1579&headline=Firearms%20collection%20opens%20to%20the%20public&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2010 |accessdate=14 September 2016 |publisher=Yellow Advertiser}}</ref>

In March 2014, there was reason for local optimism that MoD Donnington would once more be radically expanded, with another 500 to 700 jobs being added to the 1,000 jobs that MoD Donnington then currently required.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 November 2013 |title=MoD Donnington base expansion plans unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-25045335 |accessdate=8 March 2014 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> The expansion plans were approved early that month.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 March 2014 |title=MoD Donnington base expansion plans approved |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-26464689 |accessdate=8 March 2014 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

In 2015, Donnington was selected as the site for a new 'Defence Fulfilment Centre' for the newly privatised Logistics, Commodities and Services element of [Defence Equipment and Support](/source/Defence_Equipment_and_Support). The new office and warehouse buildings were built alongside the former [Defence Storage Distribution Centre](/source/Defence_Storage_and_Distribution_Agency) on the site and opened in early 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=MOD announces contract to run military logistics |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-announces-contract-to-run-military-logistics |accessdate=13 September 2016 |website=MOD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Claridge |first=Roisin |date=2022-04-04 |title=Defence Fulfilment Centre 5th Anniversary: Supplying the military with over £1 billion worth of kit. |url=https://des.mod.uk/defence-fulfilment-centre-anniversary/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In November 2014, Venning Barracks became headquarters of the newly-formed [11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands](/source/11th_Signal_Brigade_and_Headquarters_West_Midlands), formed by the amalgamation of [11th Signal Brigade](/source/11th_Signal_Brigade_and_Headquarters_West_Midlands) who were already based here since 1992, and the hitherto [Shrewsbury](/source/Shrewsbury)-headquartered [143rd (West Midlands) Regional Brigade](/source/143rd_Infantry_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)).<ref>{{cite news |last=Owen |first=Andrew |date=17 November 2014 |title=Flag is flying for new Army brigade |page=1 |work=Shropshire Star}}</ref>

In September 2016, it was announced Parsons and Venning Barracks were among 13 sites named by the [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) for future disposal.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 September 2016 |title=Ministry of Defence to sell 13 sites for 17,000 homes |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37287613 |accessdate=8 September 2016}}</ref>

== Defence Fulfilment Centre ==
The Defence Fulfilment Centre (DFC)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-04-04 |title=New £83m MoD centre in Donnington formally opened |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-shropshire-39491715 |access-date=2024-05-29 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and operated by [Defence Equipment and Support](/source/Defence_Equipment_and_Support) (DE&S), the procurement arm of the MOD. The DFC ensures kit and equipment reaches the [British Armed Forces](/source/British_Armed_Forces).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-03 |title=Coronavirus: MOD Delivered 10,000 Medical Items To NHS Since March |url=https://www.forces.net/news/coronavirus-mod-delivers-over-10000-critical-medical-items-nhs |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=www.forces.net |language=en}}</ref> The 860,000 sq ft facility consists of two warehouses and a support building, and also contains an industrial-sized fridge specifically for medicines which plays a crucial role in getting medicines to personnel.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Claridge |first=Roisin |date=2022-04-04 |title=Defence Fulfilment Centre 5th Anniversary: Supplying the military with over £1 billion worth of kit. |url=https://des.mod.uk/defence-fulfilment-centre-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}</ref>

During the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), over 6,800 ventilators were distributed from the DFC. The DFC also enabled British military personnel to deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and vaccines to hospitals.<ref name=":0" />

In 2022, the DFC supplied the [Ukrainian Army](/source/Ukrainian_Ground_Forces) with 84,000 surplus [Mk 7 helmet](/source/Mk_7_helmet)s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=administrator |date=2022-04-01 |title=MOD Donnington donates thousands of helmets to Ukraine Military |url=https://des.mod.uk/mod-donnington-donates-thousands-helmets-ukraine/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Future ==
In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the Parsons and Venning Barracks sites would close, with an "Estimated Date of Disposal" in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 2016 |title=A Better Defence Estate |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565858/20161107_MOD_Better_Defence_Estate_FINAL.pdf |accessdate=8 November 2016 |publisher=Ministry of Defence}}</ref> This was later extended to 2030.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6710d9889cd657734653d6d6/DEO_Disposal_Timeline_2024.pdf|title=Defence Disposal Timeline|accessdate=25 July 2025}}</ref>

== Current units ==

* Defence Fulfilment Centre<ref>{{cite web|url=https://des.mod.uk/defence-fulfilment-centre-anniversary/|title=The logistics centre that has supplied the UK military with over £1 billion worth of kit celebrates its fifth anniversary|publisher=Defence Equipment & Support|access-date=27 September 2023}}</ref>
* 174 Provost Company, [Royal Military Police](/source/Royal_Military_Police)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-11-20 |title=Shropshire base flying the flag for military future |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/11/20/shropshire-base-flying-the-flag-for-military-future/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=www.shropshirestar.com |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[MOD Bicester](/source/MOD_Bicester)

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Donnington}}
Category:Installations of the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
Category:Barracks in England
Category:Donnington and Muxton
Category:Military installations established in 1940

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MOD Donnington](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOD_Donnington) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOD_Donnington?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.