Munitions Workers Stories
In 1942 whilst working as a machinist at Thomas Marshall (Marlbeck) Ltd, one of the most prestigious tailoring companies in Leeds, Dorothy received her call up papers.Dorothy and two work friends dutifully reported to the recruiting office, hoping to become Land Girls. Unfortunately, the government had decreed that all boys born in 1924 would work in the mines, and all the girls born that year were destined for munitions factories.They were offered the choice to work on munitions at Hunslet Engine Company or on the manufacture of aircraft parts for the Fairey Swordfish Aeroplane. They chose the latter and were ordered to report to Appleyard’s in Regent Street, Sheepscar.
Appleyard’s like many companies during this period, was taken over for War production. Appleyard’s was hailed as the ‘biggest garage under one roof in Europe’, but even their extensive workshops had to be expanded to accommodate the manufacture of Fairey Swordfish wings.For the first two weeks the women were placed on the night shift from 7.30pm to 7am. They were sent to a satellite building where they made wooden boxes to house lifejackets and other safety equipment for the aeroplanes. Dorothy says that working nights was quite a shock to the system, it was a big life change with exhausting working hours which took some getting used to. Dorothy’s days were made longer by her journey to work, she had to catch a bus or tram into Leeds city centre, and a second to Sheepscar. It was a long trek in the blackout with only a torch to light the way!After their initial two weeks the three friends were transferred to the main factory and onto a day shift (they worked two weeks of night shifts and two weeks of day shifts on a rota). Dorothy was given a job working on wing ribs; there were 12 ribs per wing, each made from two strips of aluminium ranging in length from 4ft to 6ft. Dorothy’s job was to fit the aluminium strips into a large, heavy-duty jig, manoeuvre the jig under a hydraulic punch to make rivet holes, then fix metal struts to hold the rib in place ready for the riveting.
The workers were expected to complete a whole set of 12 ribs in one shift, which took some doing. It was hard work as the jig was heavy to operate, and the ribs were cumbersome to hang up for quality checks. Once they’d passed inspection, they had to string them together as a set ready to be sent for riveting.Dorothy remembers that there was music while they worked, which was broadcast through the factory tannoy system. The music helped to keep the workers awake on their long night shift. They were allowed two 10-minute breaks for a quick cup of tea, and an hour for lunch. There was a canteen where workers could buy a hot meal, but Dorothy preferred to take a packed lunch as she couldn’t face a full meal on the night shift.Dorothy said that the male factory workers thought it was great to have some women in the workplace and liked to try their luck chatting them up. She recognises that this behaviour would be frowned upon today, but in those days, she says, “we didn’t think anything of it. If they became a pest, they were told to get lost!”
Appleyard’s closed for the manufacture of aeroplane parts in 1944 and the workers were sent back to their previous positions, for Dorothy this meant a return to tailoring. However, they were told that they could be called back to munitions if the need arose. For Dorothy the call did not come, and she was able to resume her career in tailoring.Dorothy says that her fondest memories of working at Appleyard’s were when various people came to the factory to give talks or to entertain the workers during their meal break. The most memorable for Dorothy was a visit from Fleet Air Arm officers, who told them how important the Fairey Swordfish Aeroplane was to the War, as it was the only plane that could carry a torpedo and fly under the radar; they were very grateful for their hard work. Dorothy also highlights a visit from four badly injured soldiers who had survived the prisoner of war camps, she says “their stories were both heartbreaking and inspirational, and left a lasting memory with me.”Dorothy said she didn’t really give it a second thought when her war work ended. It was wartime and no one questioned what was asked of them, they just got on and did it. So, when the work came to an end, and they were sent back to tailoring she just accepted it.
Overall, Dorothy says she is proud that the work she did contributed to the construction of aeroplanes which were essential to the war effort.
With thanks to Dorothy King for sharing her story, and to her daughter Fiona Mortimer for writing the story and providing the photographs.
Dorothy King -Appleyard's of Leeds
Margaret Machin - Swynnerton Rose
Margaret Machin worked at ROF Swynnerton in Stone, Staffordshire. ROF Swynnerton was a filling factory and was built between 1939 and 1941. Munitions production began in mid-1940, and Margaret worked at the site for four years, from 1941-1945. Margaret’s job was to fill firing caps, she would have been based in a small building, surrounded by earth banks to contain accidental blasts. Filling factories usually consisted of lots of small buildings for protection, that way, if an explosion happened in one building, production could continue in another. Margaret’s fondest memory is of the friends she made at ROF Swynnerton. The camaraderie amongst munitions workers has been a recurring theme throughout my research. Although most munitions workers would have been local to the factory, as in Margaret’s case, in December 1941 Parliament passed a second National Service Act. It widened the scope of conscription and all unmarried women, and all childless widows between the ages of 20 and 30 were liable to be called up for war work. This meant that ROF Swynnerton would have received an influx of female workers and Margaret would have met people from all over the country. When asked about how she felt when the work came to an end, Margaret said she felt sad that she never again saw the friends she made at ROF Swynnerton. Sadly, after the War, women who had been conscripted into the factories, in the main, returned to their homes in other parts of the country, and lost touch with the friends they had made during their service. Over the years, when I have asked former workers how they felt about the work they undertook, the overwhelming responses have been, “oh it was a job, and it had to be done,” or “I didn’t think I was doing anything special.” Margaret, however, realised the importance of her work and the impact it had on the outcome of the War. If it were not for munitions workers like Margaret, the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force would have been unable to fight, let alone win a war. Margaret and Sue, accompanied a small group of former workers who visited 10 Downing Street in 2017, to meet the then Prime Minister, Teresa May. The Prime Minister spoke to Margaret about her War work and the importance of what she did during a time of national emergency. Both Margaret and Sue remember the day fondly and paused to have their picture taken on the steps of 10 Downing Street. It has been a long road to recognition for Margaret and her colleagues, and one of the most sustaining relationships has been the connection that has been established between the former ROF Swynnerton site and the Munitions Workers Association. In fact, it would be fair to say that without the support, kindness, interest and goodwill of Major Retired Jim Salisbury and his colleagues, Jenny Cummings and several former Commandants of the site, we would not have achieved all we have today. For several years the former factory hosted a Remembrance Day gathering at the site. This was attended by former workers of ROF Swynnerton and their families. The events were an opportunity for former workers to discuss their War work with fellow colleagues and to remember lost friends. At one of these get-togethers, Margaret met a childhood friend who she had not seen in many years, although they had never worked together at ROF Swynnerton. The former factory holds a special place in the hearts of its former workers.
However, I don’t want to give away too much as a story will be forthcoming about ROF Swynnerton!
I was fortunate to meet Margaret when she joined the Munitions Workers Association to march at the National Service of Remembrance in Whitehall London. Each year a contingent of former workers march in the parade, and Margaret and Sue have been at the core of this group. On this day we reflect on the work these individuals undertook and share stories about relatives and friends. I would like to end this piece with a poem which was included in a play called, “I don’t want to set the world on fire,” by Bob Eaton:
The Roses of Swynnerton,
Work hard night and day.
If it wasn’t for the Roses of Swynnerton
Where would Old England be?