I was shocked by factory conditions

I was only a one-year- old baby when war broke out, having been born in 1938.

My father had been in the regular army for 10 years, when he met and married my mum.

My father was called up immediately in 1939.

I lived with my mother and grandmother at Brightside at the time.

My mother, Edna Aspinall, along with many other women, immediately volunteered to work in the steel works, (Balfours).

I well remember she was only five foot tall and I had to roll up the legs on her boiler suit.

Many years later, I worked as an industrial nurse at ASS-Electrical industries. Having always worked as a nursing sister in hospital, I was quite shocked at the conditions they worked in.

I was taken round the factory to see the conditions that the women and men worked in.

I certainly had my eyes opened and was shocked by the whole thing.

My escort for the tour was quite proud of the fact that it was the cleanest factory in Europe.

How many of us have no idea about the conditions some people have to work in?

Both men and women work in such areas and I applaud every one of them, who do such essential jobs.

We certainly could not manage without them.

I would love to be able to give a medal to my grandchildren, my mother’s great grandchildren.

Thank you for this effort, it is a wonderful idea.

Mrs V Revill

Stothard Road, Crookes

n Application forms are available from the receptions at The Star, in York Street and Sheffield Town Hall. They can also be made online at www.sheffield.gov.uk/womenofsteel