Bomb Girls

by Barbara Dickson

  It’s hard to stick at a job we may not like, to work under people we may not like, and harder still to contemplate handing over to the government the major portion on one’s surplus earnings.

  The fact is that the whole grim business is hard — but it will be harder still if we do less than everything we know how — and lose the war.

  If anyone thinks otherwise, let him read and digest what is happening in Poland, Holland, Czecho-Slovakia, Jugo-Slavia, and Greece. The folks in these countries would give their souls to be in our shoes today.”1

  The GECO Diamond Is Their Badge

  There were no shift quotas at GECO.2 They weren’t needed. The deaths of Canadian soldiers steeled the women’s resolve to fill as many fuses as fast as their deft fingers could manage. Instead, Bob and Phil offered service badges, rewarded for completing years of faithful service.3 Operators strived to achieve this simple yet solemn mark of distinction, which they wore on their left sleeve.4 Workers earned a red diamond-shaped badge after one year, green after two, blue after three, and a large gold badge after four years of service, which replaced the former three and had the number “IV” embossed on it.5 Inspector Carol LeCappelain was disappointed that Germany surrendered when it did; she had just weeks until she would have received her gold badge.6 Management issued letters of congratulations for faithful service as well,7 and these became treasured keepsakes for employees and were used as references after the war.8 GECO also offered employees the chance to join their “100 Percent Club” for exemplary attendance.9 GECO employees proudly wore their company’s insignia on their uniforms, and GECO flags flew from the company’s mast and hung in the cafeteria. Other visible symbols of pride for employees included GECO pins worn proudly on civilian clothing.10 With each worker’s individual employee number etched on the back, every pin depicted a maple leaf and beaver symbolizing Canada, the GECO diamond indicating the company’s trademark, and in bold lettering the words, “Munition Worker.”11 “This pin not only identifies the wearer as an employee of the Company,” wrote R.M.P. Hamilton in a review of Industrial Relations mid-1943, “but also symbolizes his (or her) part in the Canadian war effort. It is worn with pride and is most helpful in its influence on ‘esprit de corps.’”12

  GECO Fusilier: A Powder Magazine

  The Hamiltons and the Canadian government appreciated the far-reaching positive ramifications an employee publication could have on its readership. Management gave Mr. Ross Davis the mandate to promote loyalty, morale, and unity amongst its employees through their “powder magazine.”13 Each issue of the GECO Fusilier not only kept the GECO community informed of “all things GECO” but encouraged a dedicated work ethic and an unparalleled safety standard within wartime industry as well. Ross put together an enjoyable read that left women’s heartstrings suitably stirred, chock-full of cartoons, inspiring stories, birth, engagement, and wedding announcements, and friendly inter-department competitions. The plant issued eighty-four editions and it had expanded to eight pages from its original four after its first year of publication.14

  GECO workers were reminded by editor Ross Davis that while they couldn’t be “the man behind the gun,” they all could be “the man behind the man behind the gun,” and that “it is up to us to be good and sure that ‘the man behind the gun’ has plenty to put in his weapon when he brings his sights to bear on the hordes of Axis assassins.”15 In fact, in just the second issue of the newspaper, printed in April 1942, Ross wrote, “The storm signals are up. There is no question but that the Axis powers are all set for a ‘knockout’ this year. Millions of men armed to the teeth are on the march. The hurricane is about to hit in all its fury and soon. Let us not delude ourselves — we can lose.”16

  Cartoonist Lou Skuce created cartoons during GECO’s early days using humour and wit to foster patriotism and a dedicated work ethic. In this drawing Mr. Skuce likens munitions workers’ war effort to that of servicemen, deserving of a medal. For a GECO worker her medal was her company pin worn proudly on her civilian clothes. Author’s photo.

  When it came to patriotism and commitment to the war effort, Davis didn’t mince words. The newspaper pointed out that those who did not have perfect work attendance were “Hitler’s Helpers.”17 Ross posed the question, “… what essential difference is there between a fighting man deserting his post in time of danger — and a worker in a munitions plant?”18 In fact, quite regularly, the newspaper employed guilt tactics to motivate its readers. The following text appeared in the “Editor’s Column” in the paper’s inaugural edition in regards to shortages in supplies: “… these materials have been brought across sub-infested seas and brave men are daily risking and losing their lives to ensure that we get them. What a pity if we should be found guilty of improper or wasteful use of things so costly.”19

  GECOites with a penchant for poetry wrote about the men who were dying overseas, of their bravery in the face of death, of their sacrifice, and of the shame the nation should feel should the men die because citizens didn’t do their very best to supply fighting men with the “tools” needed to get the job done. Mr. William “Bill” Taylor wielded an especially sharp pen, and was a regular contributor of poems to the newspaper.

  “A Young Canadian Died!”

  For want of a shell a gun was still;

  For want of that gun on a Flanders hill

  A Hun in a foxhole was free to kill—

  And a young Canadian died!

  For want of a fuze that was yet unfilled

  A shell was lost and a gun was stilled;

  And a Hun was alive that it should have killed—

  And a young Canadian died!

  For want of the hands of a worker skilled,

  The task of a fuze was unfulfilled;

  And a gun was mute, and a Hun was thrilled

  As a young Canadian died!— Bill Taylor20

  Skuce’s Goose

  GECO hired “Canada’s Greatest cartoonist” Lou Skuce to create posters and cartoons for the GECO Fusilier during the first year of the plant’s operation.21 Taddle Creek Magazine’s Conan Tobias called Skuce “… something of an international celebrity throughout the thirties and forties, achieving a level of fame unthinkable for a newspaper illustrator today.”22 Lou Skuce relied heavily on humour to convey serious messages. His iconic goose — the infamous Skuce Goose — showed up in many of his cartoons. The goose became almost as famous as his creator, with his tiny top hat balanced on his head. Mr. Skuce presented his goose in a “Jiminy Cricket” role, reacting to and offering sage counsel to his audience.

  Cartoonist Lou Skuce drew unabashed anti-Nazi cartoons to send a crystal clear message to Hitler and his minions. This drawing features an Allied soldier shoving “bitter pills” — ammo produced by GECO — down Hitler’s throat in retaliation for the massacre at Dieppe in 1942. Courtesy of Barbara Dickson, from Archives of Ontario.

  A Little R & R

  With the payment of dues of $1 per year, GECOites could join the company’s Recreation Club, which sponsored a variety of sports, dances, and entertainment throughout the year.23 Diverse and plentiful social activities catering to men and women, old and young alike, were available, making it a challenge for any GECOnian to partake in every activity. Within GECO’s environs, workers could play volleyball, horseshoes, lawn bowling, croquet, and softball.24 Employees even found space to set up a nine-hole mini golf course between Building Nos. 144 and 23.25 An area set up in the cafeteria provided room for table tennis, badminton, shuffleboard, cribbage, checkers, bridge, euchre, and dramatics.26 Away from the plant, people could enjoy bowling, trap shooting, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis. The men established six hockey teams and the women pleasure-skated on two skating rinks set up each winter at the plant.27 GECO’s Saddle Club included sleighing during the winter months at Three Gaits Stables, also known as Hilltop Boarding and Riding Stables near Wardin and St. Clair Avenues in Scarboro.28 Bingo was so popular that sessions had to be limited to five hundred people.2
9 Monthly dances had upwards of one thousand in attendance. Various lessons were offered, including dance classes, health and beauty tips, nutrition sessions, and sewing classes. The plant also had a Glee Club.30 Finally, if employees were looking for something more, they could purchase memberships for up to 25 percent off to the YWCA.31

  Sing a Song of Softball

  GECO installed four baseball diamonds on the northeast corner of Eglinton and Wardin Avenues, with eighteen men’s teams in three leagues and fourteen women’s teams in two leagues launched.32 Fierce competition ruled the day between fellow GECOites. Recognizable team names such as “Stores,” “Pellets ‘A’,” “I.G.,” and “Time Office” easily identified where the players worked, whereas more ingenious names such as “Geco Aces,” “Commandos,” “Tank Busters,” “Woodbutchers,” and “Gecolettes” spoke to an individual team’s pride and imagination.33 GEOC’s most recognizable pair, “Dazzy” Bob Hamilton and his brother, “Drop’em” Phil Hamilton, played on the “Whirlwinds” team.34

  GECO installed four baseball diamonds on the northeast corners of Eglinton and Wardin Avenues. Fierce competition ruled the day between fellow GECO teams, as well as against other war-time plants. In this photograph, a couple of softball players are wearing GECO’s colours on their shirts. The plant’s administration building and signature smokestack can be seen in the background. Courtesy of Archives of Ontario.

  Bombs Away, Beautiful!

  The Toronto Police Amateur Athletic Association sponsored the Miss War Worker Contest annually; open to women sixteen years of age or older and engaged in war work in the city.35 GECO participated each year, with several dozen entrants vying for the title of “Scarboro Miss War Worker.”36 Six to eight finalists from this competition went on to next round held typically at Acorn or Sunnyside Park.37 While many lovely GECO ladies entered each year, with several of their “Miss Scarboro” finalists placing at the semi-final and city-wide events held at Exhibition Park, the coveted first-place prize remained elusive, although several beauties finished in the contest’s top ten.38 GECOite Kathleen Russell took fourth prize in Toronto in 1942, and Mrs. Alice Newman and Eunice Harrison took second and fourth place in 1943.39 In 1944, GECO’s Lottie Walsh placed third at the city event, and Grace Bollert and Sylvia Jenkins ranked in seventh and tenth place respectively.40

  Miss War Worker Finals, July 1942. Every year GECOites competed in Toronto’s Miss War Worker Contest, open to any woman over sixteen years of age engaged in war work. GECO held its own competition each year, sending several lovely “Miss Scarboro” finalists to the semi-final and city-wide events held at Exhibition Park. This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the plant’s massive cafeteria with its freestanding “laminated beam” construction, a GECO engineering innovation. Courtesy of Archives of Ontario.

  In 1943 GECOites Margaret Miller, Grace Bollert, Eunice Harrison, Alma Campbell, Kitty Russell, and Alice Newman represented Scarboro in the Miss War Worker Contest at the Toronto Police Amateur Athletic Association’s Annual Field Day. Five GECO women remained in the final ten chosen at the city-wide event. Alice Newman came in second, winning $150 and a chest of silver. Courtesy of Archives of Ontario.

  Major Flexman, GECO’s operations manager, added a sombre note during the preliminary event in 1944 when he stressed the need for more and more ammunition, and made an urgent appeal for employees to find more recruits.41 In fact, R.M.P. Hamilton allowed GECO to participate in the beauty pageant in 1944 — held within weeks of the Allied Normandy invasion — only if there would be no interference with production.42 “The necessity for this condition,” stated Mr. Hamilton in a formal notice to all employees, “will no doubt be realized in view of the fact that the demands for ammunition at this time are urgent and must take precedence over everything.”43

  To celebrate the beauty of GECO’s feminine side, in March 1944 management introduced a new morale booster — pin-up girls.44 Each shop on each shift had the opportunity to select one “pin-up” girl who best represented their shop.45 Selected women appeared in future issues of the employee newspaper.46 Beauty and health classes were also popular at GECO.47 The men, who enjoyed “pin up” girls, did not think so much of beauty lessons, and were known to tease their female counterparts. Their attitude was adjusted via a smart article in the GECO Fusilier. The plant’s men were reminded that there existed a serious problem with distribution of coal in major cities due to a labour shortage.48 The scuttlebutt around the plant hinted that men from munitions plants might be “utilized” to shovel coal.49 The employee newspaper reminded men it would be to everyone’s benefit if the teasers kept their beauty comments to themselves, since “he laughs best whose face is unsullied by coal dust.”50

  Victory Gardens

  In 1943, on the northeast corner of Wardin and Eglinton Avenues, GECO established a “Victory Garden.”51 Workmen plowed twenty-six acres of farmland, preparing more than six hundred plots, each measuring twenty by sixty feet.52 More than five hundred employees took advantage of the opportunity to try out their green thumbs.53 They undertook their sowing with eyes wide open. Should the winds of war change, the gardens would be taken to accommodate Canada’s war needs.54 Management encouraged workers to plant vegetable gardens, since a food shortage was a constant worry throughout the war. The more food cultivated by citizens, the more foodstuffs could be sent overseas to help feed the troops. In fact, in anticipation of the upcoming gardening season in 1945, the plant newspaper warned, “Food may be in short supply this year. Better arrange to have a garden.”55

  More Mistletoe and Less Missile-Talk

  During each annual Advent season, employees savoured a full-course turkey dinner with all the trimmings in their spacious cafeteria for “two bits (twenty-five cents).”56 The repast cost GECO fifty cents per employee.57 The meal, meant to serve upwards of five thousand employees, included (approximately, depending on the year) 400 turkeys (from 1.5 to 2 tons in weight), 300 loaves of bread (for stuffing), 80 gallons of gravy, 25 to 30 bags of potatoes, 25 cases of canned peas, 12 gallons of cranberries, 27 gallons of apple jelly, 1,200 pounds of pudding, 300 pounds of brown sugar, and 200 gallons of coffee.58 In 1943, cafeteria staff clocked 846 hours of regular time and 118 overtime hours to plan, procure, prepare, and serve the festive holiday meal.59 GECOite “chef” Karl Markovitch worked twenty-four hours straight preparing turkeys.60

  In 1944, due to significant snowfall, the turkeys were three days late arriving at the plant.61 Mrs. Ignatieff, anticipating thousands of sad faces, procured hams — just in case.62 The turkeys arrived in the (St.) Nick of time. They even managed to enjoy cranberries, which had turned up after being lost somewhere between Montreal and Toronto due to heavy snow.63

  Each year, GECO held a Christmas party for the children of their employees.64 The official program consisted of a festive hour of entertainment, with a magic show, musical performances, and clowns, and was offered three times over the course of an afternoon. Overcrowding was a concern, so management gently told their employees to bring their children, enjoy the show, and then leave promptly.65 Record snow from the “storm of the century” on December 12, 1944, made the munition plant’s Children’s Christmas Party, held only four days later, even more festive. A record number of guests — more than 2,500 youngsters and their happy parents — partook in the festivities, eager to receive a toy from Santa.66 Local bus lines carried 12,574 excited and happy passengers to and from GECO that afternoon.67

  The Kids Are Alright

  Daycare was virtually non-existent before the Second World War. With the war’s outbreak, tens of thousands of women took up war jobs, working six days a week, and could no longer care for their pre-school children at home. To ease the burden, the Canadian government introduced a “wartime day nurseries” program developed with the joint sponsorship and financial support of the provincial governments, which commenced in earnest during the fall of 1942, offering childcare to children two years of age and up.68 War factories offered
the service to mothers at a nominal daily charge of thirty-five cents for one child, or about the equivalent of the women’s first hour of work at GECO each day, and fifty cents for two.69 This fee did not meet the expense of providing for the children. The balance of the cost was made up by Canada’s federal and provincial governments.70 The intent of the program was “to relieve mothers of smaller children, who are employed in war industries, of the responsibility and the worry of locating someone capable of and willing to look after her progeny while away at work. It should furnish the answer to a major problem of a great many ‘working’ mothers.”71

  Before children were admitted to the day program they had to undergo an extensive medical exam, including a throat swab.72 A Public Health nurse visited the facility three times each week and a doctor paid a visit weekly, hoping to ward off the spread of viruses that could overwhelm the nursery, cascading into lost days of work for mothers.73 GECO was affiliated with “Unit No. 7” Day Nursery, which operated out of the basement of Dentonia Park United Church and at 125 Rose Avenue, near Parliament and Bloor Street East.74 Women engaged in war work comprised 75 percent of the parents who used day nurseries during the early 1940s.75 Women saw the nursery as an excellent avenue to expose children to social interaction and to learn how to be kind to others. Women had peace of mind knowing competent nursery staff cared for their children.

  Big Business Unions

  By December 1941 GECO’s management had employed and trained more than three thousand operators.76 With hundreds more expected to join the ranks over the ensuing months, Bob and Phil Hamilton quickly recognized that they needed some systematic way to acknowledge merit and control wages. Staff introduced a work record card system that contributed to an enduring amicable relationship between the plant’s “labour” and “management.”77