The last Angel has left the building…
THE last “Aycliffe Angel” to work at the famous munitions factory has died aged 107.
Renee Glover, who passed away on April 1, was one of 17,000 people who produced bullets, shells and mines at the Royal Ordnance Factory in Co Durham during the Second World War.
The work, which was mainly carried out by women, was dangerous and many workers were killed or injured.
But the secrecy surrounding the factory meant the majority of incidents went unreported and the workers’ efforts were not recognised until much later.
Renee, who was born in Frosterley, Co Durham in 1914, worked night shifts as an inspector at the factory, accepting or rejecting the bombs. She went on to have one daughter, two granddaughters, five great grandchildren and ten great-great grandchildren.
Granddaughter Sarah Renwick said Renee never really talked about her time at Aycliffe other than to say her skin was stained yellow from the bombs.
The widow remained living with her daughter Judith until she moved into Wilton House Care Home in Darlington at the age of 101.
When she turned 100, Renee said the secret to her long life was drinking “13 cups of tea a day”.
Sarah added: “She seemed indestructible, didn’t take any medication and had a zest for life that most found inspiring. We feel honoured to have had her in our lives for so long.”