Between 1939 and 1946, the Avro Works in Yeadon produced almost 700 Lancaster Bombers and 4500 Ansons that significantly contributed to the war effort. The factory, which covered a million and a half square feet, was reputed to be the largest single factory unit in Europe. Whilst this in itself is impressive, the fact that the factory was never detected was a feat of design with the job of camouflaging the enormous building was given to ‘some long haired blokes’ in the film industry.
At the height of its operation, more than 11,000 people worked there, mostly women. Many of those came from local towns of Yeadon, Otley, Guiseley, Menston and Ilkley and from as further afield of Pontefract and Wakefield.
Whilst there are numerous memorials to the RAF pilots, this memorial seeks to remember the ordinary women and men that worked tirelessly throughout the war and beyond to defeat fascism through skill and craft. It is the memory of these people that often gets forgotten in the passage of time and therefore we are currently working with Leeds Bradford Airport to build a memorial so that their names live on.
We are currently in the process for raising funds for this memorial. For more information, visit www.avromemorialappeal.weebly.com or to make a donation please go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/avromemorialappeal
For more information about the history of the AVRO Works and Leeds Bradford Airport, please read ‘Yeadon Above and Beyond’ by Kenneth B. Cothliff.
Images © Kenneth B. Cothliff