Les Maltières Quarry

A stone-crushing plant, fed by a mechanical shovel, was imported from Germany. The stone extracted from the quarry was taken by railway to Gorey Harbour, and from there it went by sea to building sites to the south and west of the Island. 

The forced workers employed at Les Maltières Quarry and on Grouville Common were encamped at Lager Wick on Grouville Marsh. Around 200 French, Spanish and North African workers slept there on bunk beds in timber barrack huts. Although it’s likely that the huts were heated by stoves, the winters must have been perishingly cold. A shortage of blankets, clothing and hot food would have made life miserable. 

The stone crusher at Les Maltières was eventually converted into flats.