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Mogged
Defence & veteransAgency

Munitions Supply Laboratories

MSL

1922 – 1948

Renamed Defence Research Laboratories in 1948.

Laboratories at Maribyrnong, Victoria, that tested, inspected and developed munitions, explosives and materials for the government defence factories and the services.

Names over time

  1. Munitions Supply Laboratories1922–1948
  2. Defence Research Laboratories1948–1953
  3. Defence Standards Laboratories1953–1974
  4. Materials Research Laboratories1974–1994

How it came into existence

Established in 1922 (the year is approximate) at Maribyrnong under the Munitions Supply Board, bringing together the testing and research laboratories that served the government munitions factories.

Changes during its life

  1. 26 April 1939Moved with the Munitions Supply Board to the new Department of Supply and Development.
  2. 11 June 1940Moved to the new Department of Munitions.

How it ended

Renamed the Defence Research Laboratories in 1948 as defence science was reorganised after the Second World War.

Main functions

  • Chemical and metallurgical testing of munitions
  • Explosives research
  • Inspection standards for defence materials
  • Research supporting munitions production

Where it sits

Last in the portfolio of Department of Munitions.

Lineage

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Sources

Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.