skip to content | skip to menu | graphical site (you are currently reading the text only version) | cymraeg

David Jones

MP for Clwyd West

MP calls for recognition for munitions workers

11 June 2008

Westminster

Clwyd West MP, David Jones, has tabled a Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) calling on the Government to recognise the contribution made by thousands of munitions workers to the defence of the United Kingdom in the Second World War.

Munitions workers are probably the largest group of contributors to the war effort whose work remains unrecognised. Badges have been awarded to former members of the Women’s Land Army, Women’s Timber Corps and the “Bevin Boys”, and recently Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced the award of a badge of recognition to the men and women who served in the Air Transport Auxiliary, delivering aircraft to the RAF.

David Jones said:

“Many of the munitions workers were women, who had been conscripted under the provisions of the National Service Act, 1941. This was the first time women had been conscripted and, over the period of the war, 1.5 million women were employed in the engineering and munitions industries.

“The work was unpleasant. The hours were long (often 12 hour shifts) and the factories were targeted by German bombers. The work was, however, crucial to victory and it is surprising that the contributions of so many conscript workers have never been recognised.

“My constituent, Mrs Molly Jones, of Church Walks, Ruthin, was one of many conscript munitions workers in North Wales. She worked in the old Gaol, Ruthin, making bullets, for over two years. There were other munitions factories in Park Road, Ruthin, Rhydymwyn and Marchwiel.

“The work of people like Molly should now be recognised and I hope that the Government will respond to the call for recognition contained in the EDM.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

The text of the EDM is as follows:

that this House acknowledges the contribution made by munitions workers to the defence of the United Kingdom in the Second World War; notes that many such workers were women conscripted under the provisions of the National Service Act 1941; considers that the contribution of munitions workers proved crucial in securing victory in 1945; regrets that such contribution has never been formally recognised; and calls upon the Government to recognise the effort of former munitions workers in maintaining the security of this country.

Except for national news and the constituency maps, the text and photographs on this site are released under a Creative Commons Licence (opens in a new window).

site by politicos design: campaigning online with political & mp websites