1940's

Continuous sustained industrial activity was happening in Enham in the mid 1940’s. In the main factory, single seat training gliders were being produced in quantity, and all workshops were fully employed in work of national importance.

In many ways, 1945 was the ‘most eventful year in Enham's history’, according to V. Perks, author of Enham Village Centre 1918-1988. Plans for the future of Enham were drawn up, finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Health. And, of course, the devastating war came to an end.

A public subscription in Egypt raised £225,000 to thank Britain for its part in ridding Egypt of Axis forces. It was on 22^nd October 1945 that the first cheque of £100,000 from the Bank of Egypt was awarded to Enham Alamein, a gift to mark the gallantry of British forces at the Battle of El Alamein in WW2. The remainder was given later that year and a total sum in excess of £200,000 was given to Enham. In recognition, Enham appended the word 'Alamein' to its name, henceforth to be known as Enham Alamein.

The Egyptian Government presented Enham Alamein with 3 pairs of wrought-iron gates, presented originally by the three services to the Alamein Club in Cairo. The gates bearing the crest of the RAF were sited at Phipps house; those of the Royal Navy at the entrance to the Industries' Headquarters; those representing the Army were sited at the entrance to the White House. All are still treasured and carefully kept at Enham Alamein today, with the gates to Montgomery House still in place.

One of Enham's most distinguished Vice Presidents, Field Marshal Lord Montgomery, made his first visit to Enham Alamein in 1948 and was greatly impressed with the village. It was an informal visit, and he met a number of men who had served under him in the Desert. He said "I am deeply impressed by what I have seen today. I have seen a fine set of old soldiers doing a fine job of work. No one seems to have a job that he is not medically fit to do, and I must say they all look extremely happy and content."