A WARTIME angel has shared her memories of ammunitions manufacturing during the Second World War ahead of Armed Forces Day.

Dora Mattrick, 96, was just 20-years-old when she started working at ROF Aycliffe, a royal ordnance factory in County Durham.

She is an Aycliffe Angel, a group of mostly female workers who made munitions in a huge site of over 1,000 buildings covering 867 acres that now occupies Newton Aycliffe industrial estate.

The job was dangerous and many of the workers lost hands and fingers in terrifying explosions.

The Northern Echo ran a campaign more than 20-years-ago to win recognition for the thousands of workers.

The group’s contribution to the war effort was largely unrecognised but they have since won the right to be remembered and now march alongside fellow veterans with their heads up high.

Ms Mattrick lives at Longroyds and Pilling Care Home, in Skelmanthorpe, where she took part in a remembrance session and talked about her work during the Second World War.

The former munitions worker – originally from Newcastle – worked at the arms factory for two-and-a-half years.

She began at the factory in 1943, at the height of the war.

Ms Mattrick was trained as a mechanical engineer and after just ten weeks, joined a team of eight women on the production line in the factory.

Just a few days before starting, however, there had been an explosion when a 25lb bomb went off, killing six workers.

This incident, alongside others, was kept quiet at the time, going unreported in an effort to keep morale up during the conflict.

Ms Mattrick said: “It didn’t really scare me. We just did what we had to do.”

Despite the factory being top secret, it was visited during the war years by Winston Churchill and members of the Royal Family.

At the turn of the millennium, a memorial service was held to recognise the Aycliffe Angels for their efforts.

It was attended by then Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Queen, but unfortunately, Ms Mattrick was unable to attend.

Ahead of Armed Forces Day, today a restored Second World War era Jerry Jeep will visit Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home.

Ms Mattrick said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the Jerry Jeep. I was always a big fan.”

Stella Hunt, home manager at Longroyds and Pilling House Care Home, said: “Dora was just 20-years-old when she went to work in a top secret and highly dangerous facility producing bullets and bombs.

"Her bravery and that of the other Aycliffe Angels was incredible.

“Everyone at the home, including residents and staff, is looking forward to recognising their efforts and commemorating those who lost their lives.

“Armed Forces Day is a chance to show our gratitude for all the men and women serving now and in the past, whether on the front lines or providing support services.”