ROF Aycliffe facts for kids
ROF Aycliffe was a very important factory built in England during World War II. It was a Royal Ordnance Factory, which means it made weapons and ammunition for the British army. The factory was built on a large piece of land, about 867 acres, near Newton Aycliffe in County Durham. It started operating in the early 1940s.
The Brave "Aycliffe Angels"
About 17,000 women from nearby towns and villages worked at this factory. They had a very dangerous job. They filled shells and bullets with explosives. They also put together parts for detonators and fuzes, which make bombs explode.
These brave women became known as the "Aycliffe Angels." This nickname came from a Nazi propaganda radio broadcast. A speaker named Lord Haw-Haw threatened them. He said, "The little angels of Aycliffe won't get away with it." He also promised that the German air force, the Luftwaffe, would bomb them.
The work was very risky. Many workers were hurt or even killed during the manufacturing process. However, because the factory was a top-secret location, many accidents were not reported. Their amazing efforts often went unnoticed for a long time.
In the year 2000, a local newspaper called The Northern Echo started a campaign. They wanted the "Aycliffe Angels" to finally get the recognition they deserved. This led to a special memorial service. The Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair, attended. Even Queen Elizabeth II was there. A permanent memorial was also placed in Newton Aycliffe town centre. It honors the hard work of these women. In October 2021, a blue plaque was also put up. It remembers the women who worked at the factory.
Why Aycliffe Was Chosen
The factory's location was chosen very carefully. It was built on marshy land. This area often had fog and mist. This natural cover helped hide the factory from German bombers. It made it harder for the Luftwaffe to find and attack.
The factory opened in early 1941. It was officially called ROF 59. It was a "filling factory," meaning it filled ammunition. To help workers get there, two new train stations were built. These stations were on the old Clarence Railway. They were called Simpasture and Demons Bridge.
How the Factory Operated
ROF Aycliffe was a very busy place. It operated 24 hours a day, every day. Over 17,000 people worked there. They were divided into three shifts. Most of these workers were women. They came from all over the surrounding areas. Many traveled by bus or train. Some local workers even walked or rode their bicycles to work.
During its time, the factory made many different kinds of weapons. It produced finished munitions. This included bullets, shells, and mines. The factory operated for just over four years. It closed when World War II ended in 1945. By then, it had made about 700 million bullets. It also produced countless other types of ammunition.
The factory was a "Top Secret" place. It was surrounded by tall fences with barbed wire. This was to keep it safe and hidden. Important people visited the factory during the war. These visitors included Winston Churchill, who was the Prime Minister. Members of the British Royal Family also came to see the work. Many famous entertainers of the time performed for the workers too.
After the War
After World War II ended in 1945, the factory closed down. The large site was then changed. In the late 1940s, it became the Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate. This is a place where many different businesses are located. Even today, many of the original factory buildings are still standing.
