When Beckton Gasworks opened in London in 1870, it was the largest
gasworks in Europe. The site included Retort House, homes for gas workers
and their families, and a huge jetty constructed on cast-iron columns for
unloading coal. This 19th-century iron capital comes from Retort House
which was badly damaged by bombs during the Second World War.
Founder of Beckton
The name Beckton does not originate from the area. It came from Simon Adam
Beck. He was the first governor of the Gaslight & Coke Company which owned
the works.
New life in films
East London suffered a major industrial decline during the 1960s. Beckton
Gasworks closed in 1969 and lay derelict for many years. During this time,
it became a popular location for filming. One of the most famous to be
filmed there was Stanley Kubrick's film, Full Metal Jacket.
