Irene Thackray

Corporal Irene Thackray from Roundhay served in the ATS at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Barnbow near Leeds. The factory produced ammunition on a massive scale — over 2 billion rounds during the war. Irene worked as a quality inspector, checking every batch of ammunition before it was shipped to the front. The work was dangerous, with the constant risk of explosion, and required meticulous attention. After the war, she worked at Montague Burton's clothing factory in Leeds and was active in the British Legion women's section.