1. Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy Campaign
A community initiative to honour the
women of Defence Industries Limited (DIL).
www.honourajaxbombgirls.ca
Upcoming Events: A Message from the Committee…
March 4th, 2013 Magwyers Pub, Ajax – Tribute to
As we move further into our two-year fundraising campaign to
Pat Clark Fundraiser honour the women of Defence Industries Limited (DIL) and
former female war workers across Canada, we have taken a few
Special Preview Event
March 24th, 2013 moments to reflect on our efforts thus far. The success of the
Global BOMB GIRLS
St. Francis Centre, Ajax campaign to this point would not have been possible without such
strong support and dedication from committee members, the
July 6th, 2013 Jubilee Pavilion, Oshawa community and our sponsors.
To highlight the Campaign’s most memorable experiences this past year would include a visit to the Oshawa Military
Museum where committee members dressed as ‘bomb girls’ and were well received by the Ontario Regiment and the
Durham Region community. The Committee along with Honourary Patron and former DIL employee, Louise Johnson paid
visits to the Ontario Legislature, Durham Region Council and Town of Ajax Council. In addition to these experiences, the
Legacy Campaign was out in full force throughout the community over the summer. Committee members were present rain
or shine at several events throughout the Town of Ajax to raise awareness about the campaign, and the importance of Ajax’s
unique history. Events, which were attended by the Committee, included the Seniors Barbecue, Rotary Club Pancake
Breakfast and Canada Day celebrations.
This past September, the committee held its fundraising kick-off
event, “Shell-A-Bration”. The sold out event was a memorable and
fun-filled evening and was a great way to honour the women of DIL,
some of which were able to attend that evening.
As we move forward with the Campaign, we are very excited to
provide you with this news feature. Features in this edition include
information about upcoming events and fundraising initiatives.
This newsletter also highlights the unique experience of a DIL
woman that has shared her story with us. This newsletter also
includes a ‘virtual tour’ that will provide you with a look at life
on the DIL compound during World War II.
We hope that you will enjoy the newsletter as much as we do. Please feel free to pass it on to your friends, family and people
that you think might be interested in the unique history of Ajax!

2. The DIL Experience
Honourary Patron and Ajax Resident, Louise Johnson shares her World War II story.
Known to many Ajax residents as our very own ‘Bomb Girl’, Louise Johnson (nee
Morris) was one of thousands of women that worked at Defence Industries
Limited (DIL) during the Second World War. It is because of women like
Louise, that men fighting overseas were kept supplied with ammunition and
were able to win the war in 1945. Initially from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Louise boarded a train in 1942 at the age of twenty-one to embark on a journey
that would change her life forever.
In sitting down to speak with Louise, it immediately became clear that the
experience, which she was about to describe, was one that many surely were
not aware of. World War II, though over sixty-five years in the past, has not
soon been forgotten. For most people at the time, the war meant the absence
of sons, fathers, brothers and friends. The war quickly became a symbol of
tragedy, sorrow and loss for many as they awaited the fate of their loved ones.
While stories about men are familiar to
many people, the experiences of women are little known or
acknowledged. For women, the danger that came with war was not the only
uncertainty lingering in their minds. In Ajax, over 7, 000 women toiled in
the largest munitions plant in the British Commonwealth to ensure that
allied forces were fully equipped with the best ammunition. Louise in
particular, worked on line three making anti-aircraft missiles.
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3. Here, Louise shares her story about her journey as a young
woman from Saskatoon to her role as a female munitions
worker at DIL,
“I had never heard about Defence Industries prior to working
there, but many other women were leaving Saskatoon to help in
some way related to the war effort either in the armed services with
the Canadian Women’s Army Corps or in munitions plants. At
the age of eighteen, I was required to register with the National
Selective Service so that the government could keep track of
personal information, especially during a war. After I had
registered, I received a telephone call from DIL personnel, Alex
Russell and Cec Robinson. These men were actively recruiting
single women right across the country. I was interviewed by Mr.
Robinson who explained the importance of a job in a munitions
plant as well as the need for single women. I was required to pass a medical and physical exam as well as a criminal background check
conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before I was hired and moved to DIL. I boarded the train to DIL the night before it was
expected to leave with three other passenger cars filled with girls making their way across the country to work at DIL. I spent three nights
and two days on the train and was met by plant personnel in Toronto. We were taken very good care of and upon arrival were brought to
what was then called Pickering Works. After we arrived, they brought us to the single women’s residence. A roommate was assigned to me
because I didn’t know anyone else. Once we settled in, we were brought together for a three-day
orientation. This is where we were assigned our shifts and were told the rules and dangers of
working and again the importance of our work. Conditions in the plant were always good. We
quickly became a complete community. We had a floor lady in every room of the factory during
every shift. She wore a different coloured bandana so that she was easily recognizable. This
woman would report to the foreman, who would supervise throughout the plant. The floor lady
would also make sure that supplies were ample and would take over for women that were on a
break of sick. Our shifts were eight hours long and ran from 8:00am-4:00pm, 4:00pm-12:00am
and 12:00am-8:00am. We worked six days a week Monday to Saturday with Sundays and
Christmas Day off. There was a great sense of community at DIL because we only had each other
to rely on. We played ball, went bowling and danced. There were always many activities for us to
do. We were all in it together.”
In recalling her experiences, Louise used the words ‘exciting, fulfilling and satisfying’ to
describe her time at DIL. Although Louise said that all of the women were glad when
the war was won, there was also a sense of disappointment. With the end of the war in
sight, these women knew that the community and way of life that they had experienced and become so familiar with was
also coming to an end. Louise’s experiences were also unique in that she found love while working on the line. In 1943,
Louise married Russell Johnson, who moved into her home on Glynn Road in Ajax, where in her 91st year, Louise still
resides.
During the war, DIL served as an institution to push out mass amounts of ammunition to support Allied forces. Since then,
DIL has become a symbol of the beginning of changing perceptions of women’s roles and changed the lives of the
individuals that worked there. Louise says, “DIL influenced my entire life. I owe so much to that
plant. If I had the choice now, I’d never do it any differently”.
Big News BOMB GIRLS Fans!
Season 2 premiered in Canada on Global TV at
8:00pm et/pt on January 2nd, 2013!
Are you watching?
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4. DIL Virtual Tour
The DIL Hospital opened in 1941 as a 12-bed treatment
unit for employees of Defence Industries. The building
occupied a frame on the site now occupied by the
Salvation Army (Kings Crescent & Exeter Road). By
February 1943, the number of beds increased to 32,
including 10, which could be used for isolation cases.
The hospital was staffed by five full time doctors and
fifteen full time nurses. Routine services included regular
screening of employees working closely with TNT. This
was because TNT poisoning could be fatal.
The Commando was a war born newspaper and was first published on May
15th, 1942 under the banner, Ajax News. The paper was staffed by those
employed at DIL. The Commando kept employees abreast of the local
happenings and to boost morale, played up the part war workers here took in
the fighting and finally, victory over our enemies.
From the Pages of the Commando …
“Two years ago, we might have thought twice about entering a factory to
work. Today, we are proud of the work we are doing in one of Canada’s
largest factories. As women, we have adapted ourselves to many tedious
and exacting jobs, which would be clumsy and awkward for men. We
have learned to stay awake during the night as well as during the day.
Side by side we work; at the end of a shift we may not be meticulously
groomed. We are usually grimy and smudge faced. There are more
likely to be sinners than saints among us, but deep down we are
thinking of the boy behind that gun. Somebody’s father, husband, son
or sweetheart - that boy who wants the tools, which we can give him.
To do the jobs, which are vital to victory is indeed a privilege and to
be a woman war worker is a decided honour”
- Published on August 5th, 1942 in
The Commando of Defence Industries Limited
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5. Thank you to our Sponsors!
Fundraising
Achievement
Without the support of
many generous donations,
the Ajax Bomb Girls
Legacy Campaign would
not be as successful.
Thank you for your
continued support.
For a complete list of
donors and sponsors,
please visit our website.
Note: Based on preliminary estimates, $500,000 will secure two life-sizes figures of DIL women for the monument planned for
Pat Bayly Square. $250,000 will secure one life-size figure of a DIL woman for the monument.
Share your Stories with us!
Do you have any DIL stories that you can share with us? Do you know someone that does? We would love to hear from
you! We are currently in the process of compiling photographs; letters, artifacts and any other DIL related material for our
records. The goal of the committee is to raise awareness about the significance of women’s role in Allied victory, but we
also wish to preserve that history to share with future generations.
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6. In memory of our beloved committee member and
Fundraising Chair, Pat Clark
We are very saddened by the passing of our valued Committee Member
and Fund Raising Chairperson, Pat Clark. Her loss is deeply felt and we
mourn her passing. Our condolences go out to her family and friends.
Pat was instrumental in the launch of the Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy
Campaign and in its early stages demonstrated her commitment to the
Campaign as she tirelessly recruited other members to the committee
and dressed in a 'Bomb Girls' uniform on several occasions to promote
the history of Defence Industries Limited and the women that worked
there.
Pat's zest and passion for life were apparent in everything she put her
heart into and the Legacy Campaign was no exception. Her hard work
and dedication paid off as she graciously accepted the very first
donations towards the DIL women's monument in Spring 2012.
As a result of Pat's drive to preserve the unique history of
the Town of Ajax and Defence Industries, the Legacy
Campaign was off in full swing come September 2012 as
the committee hosted its first fundraising event, Shell-a-
bration, of which Pat also played a vital role.
Pat was an inspiration to us all and her spirit and
enthusiasm for the Campaign will always be remembered
and valued.
Please visit our website’s Memory Wall, to view donations
made to the Campaign in memory of Pat Clark. Please note
that donations can be made through the website or by
cheque payable to the Town of Ajax with the notation of
Ajax Bomb Girls Legacy Campaign in memory of Pat Clark.
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