This building formed part of the W.T.Henley Electric Cable Works which was established in this location at the beginning of the 20th century. The wider Works has its origins in the W.T.Henley Telegraph Company which established during the mid- 19th century in London. The building was engineering department which was constructed in between the latter half of 1939 and December 1940 and was part of the last major expansion of the works. It enabled the company to engage in important WWII manufacture of electrical and rubber products. Notable military contracts included the manufacture of the Pipeline Under the Ocean (PLUTO) and of degaussing equipment for ships to counteract the threat of German magnetic mines and submarine indicator loops. A building recording of the site was undertaken in 2018 and noted that "Despite the factory’s continued use into the beginning of the 21st century, the majority of the structure remains unchanged from its original layout. Modern intervention has been primarily cosmetic and ephemeral. The removal of original fixtures, fittings and, more importantly, associated machinery has affected the ability to readily interpret previous internal uses. However, sufficient building fabric and features have survived to provide an impression of their industrial past." (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2018, W T Henley Building, The Shore, Northfleet, Kent, DA11 9AL, Historic Building Record (Unpublished document). SKE52947.