The Women
Mothers, daughters, grand-daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces and cousins could all be found in Barrow’s Shipyard during World War II. In fact, from February 1941, all women, who registered as “mobile”, which meant they had no children at home, were directed by the Government to war work.
In Barrow, many women opted for the Shipyard. They switched their aprons for overalls, and their mopping for welding, all for the war effort.
Unlike the First World War, women who were called to war work this time around were not restricted to the munitions sheds. This time they were spread across the departments. They learnt skills they never thought they had, and they led each other through some of Barrows darkest times.
Their bravery, determination and sheer grit was integral to the war effort.
Barrow's Shipyard Women WWII 