Content

The Story of 'The Angels'

Where does all this information come from

Why were they called 'The Aycliffe Angels'?

What did the Factory manufacture?

Plans and Photos of the Factory (1940s)

TIMELINE of the Factory & Workers

Winston Churchill visits the Aycliffe Factory (1942)

Mrs Dillon - Senior ROF worker who received a medal

Honour at last, thanks to The Northern Echo

The Aycliffe Angels 2000-2020

Extremely dangerous work...

Workers' Houses and Accommodation

350 Houses on Secret Estate in Darlington

Photo Gallery 1 - (Admin Staff)

Photo Gallery 2 - (Production Staff)

Photo Gallery 3 - (Individual Angels)

Photo Gallery 4 - (ROF site in 1945)

Photo Gallery 5 - (ROF Fire Brigade)

Documents and Certificates etc...

What's left of Aycliffe ROF?

Surviving ROF buildings...

Links for History of The Aycliffe Angels
  

Mrs Dillon's British Empire Medal

Mrs Dillon is pictured, right, with a couple of other 'senior' Aycliffe ROF workers. Photograph courtesy of Miss Ruth Vickery M.B.E, former Labour Manager at Aycliffe.

Workers in the Aycliffe factory were supposed to be under the age of 50. However, a number of them were later discovered to be much older.

A Mrs Mary Alice Dillon from Crook, County Durham, said she was 49, but was actually 69 years old!

She proved to be a very good worker and only missed two shifts in her 2.5 years working at Aycliffe.

She was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to the country and she travelled by train to London to receive her medal from The King & Queen.

  

Northern Echo - 15th June 1944

Mrs Dillon's achievements were reported by The Northern Echo in an article on Thursday 15th June, 1944.

She is shown holding her medal award notice and being lifted aloft by her neighbours.

The article, entitled CROOK WOMAN OF 70 GETS B.E.M. read:

Mrs Mary Alice Dillon, aged 70, of Low Beechburn, Crook, being chaired by her neighbours after receiving notice of the award of the B.E.M. "for services rendered to her country". For the two and a half years she has been at a war factory she has topped the attendance record, having lost only two shifts.

This was, obviously, a highly impressive achievement to many of the other ROF workers, especially to some of the younger ones, who were moved to write poetry about Mrs. Dillon!

  

Florence Gray's Poem - Mrs Dillon

B.E.M

Now there's one amongst us to whom we owe thanks
Who is aged and respected, yet brought fame to our ranks
Who achieved faithful service, who is constant and true
I'm speaking of you Mam, you are one of the few

A King sent his call from the South to the North
The words echoed here and your fame has gone forth
An Empire Medal, to be pinned on your coat
It makes us feel proud and there's a lump in my throat

This is greatness for you, an achievement of age
The scroll of your service has turned a new page
You well remembered your Sons far away
And worked hard to help them by night and by day

And we shall remember , when in more peacful days
You are resting in comfort in your quiet ways
An example of duty, your faith strong and true
We all take our turn to congratulate you

To Mrs MA Dillon B.E.M.
With Pride & Respect
Florence Gray
(pictured above)