Purfleet

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Purfleet
Purfleet shown within Essex
OS grid reference	TQ555775
Unitary authority	Thurrock
Ceremonial county	Essex
Region	East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	PURFLEET
Postcode district	RM19
Dialling code	01708
Police	Essex
Fire	Essex
Ambulance	East of England
European Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Thurrock
List of places: UK • England • Essex

Coordinates: 51°28′30″N 0°14′24″E / 51.475, 0.24

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.

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