Purfleet is a place in the Thurrock unitary authority in England. It is situated south of the A13 road on the River Thames and within the easterly bounds of the M25 motorway but just outside the Greater London boundary. There is some industry to the south and the area forms part of the Thames Gateway redevelopment area. Purfleet is one of seven conservation areas in Thurrock^[1]. It was listed by the Ministry of Food as an A-bomb target in the 1950's^[2]

In the 18th century, Purfleet was the location for the storage of gunpowder together with a garrison to protect it. This is now the Purfleet Garrison Heritage and Military Centre.

In March, 1916, anti-aircraft gunners based at Purfleet shot down the German Zeppelin LZ15 - a first. As a result the gunners received a prize from the Lord Mayor of London^[3].

Purfleet has been the home of, Flora, Bertolli, Stork and ICBINB! margarine works (formerly Van den Berghs & Jurgens, now Unilever) since 1917, reputed to be the largest in the world.

From 1921 to 1936, Purfleet formed an urban district of Essex including the parishes of Aveley, West Thurrock and South Ockendon. It covered an area of 8,900 acres and in 1931 had a population of 8,511. The parishes and urban district were abolished in 1936 and their former area was used to form part of Thurrock Urban District.

Nearest places:

• Aveley
• Wennington
• West Thurrock

Nearest stations:

• Purfleet railway station

Notes

1. ↑ Thurrock Council | Natural & Historic Environment | Conservation Areas In Th
2. ↑ BBC NEWS | UK | Nuclear threat sparked tea worry
3. ↑ Thurrock Council | Thurrock Heritage | Parish Facts

External links

• Historic boundaries of Purlfeet - A Vision of Britain

nl:Purfleet no:Purfleet fi:Purfleet

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