| Title | AVRO |
| Date | 1939 – 1949 |
| Location | Yeadon |
| Photo ID | N984 |
| Comment | During the 1939-45 War, 17,000 workers were employed in aircraft production at AVRO, 60% of them were women. Over 5,000 aircraft were built there until production ceased and the factory was closed in January 1949. The production of Lancaster’s at the AVRO, showing rear fuselage sections and almost completed aircraft in the background. In the centre is aircraft LM522, it was the first production Lancaster to have H25 radar fitted and was lost over France on 8th August 1944. Donated by Ken Cothliff. |
N985 – AVRO, 1940s.
AVRO – 1940s
Lancasters having their engines fitted in the south area of the AVRO factory.
Courtesy of Ken Cothliff.
X138 – AVRO, 1940s.
AVRO – 1940s
In the background is an AVRO York transport aircraft, it was developed in 1941 and used to transport goods, troops VIPs etc.
During the Berlin Airlift 1948/9 the York’s made over 58,000 trips almost half of the British sorties.
In front of the aircraft are a group of AVRO workers, on the right of the back row is Molly Williams.
N982 – AVRO, 1940s.
AVRO – 1940s
Lancaster M 512 at the Black Assembly shed, this aircraft became CF H of 625 Squadron and was lost over Frankfurt on 13th September 1944.
Courtesy of Ken Cothliff.
D228 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
On the back row 1st left is Frank Bland (uncle of the donor of the image Colleen Boulton), front row 1st left is Mary Bland nee Eccles, she is thought to have been in the ATS.
Donated by Colleen Boulton.
D229 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
Group of service personnel, the man on the right is Frank Bland, uncle of the donor of the image Colleen Boulton.
D235 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
A group of four military personnel pose for the camera, members of the Army and Air Force were stationed at the airport during the war.
D232 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
The girl in the white overall is Mary Bland, during the 2nd World War men of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment 1st-6th Battalion were stationed at the airport on defence duty.
Anti-aircraft guns were positioned at various strategic points in the area.
On the reverse of this photo are the names: Frank, Danny, Mary, Harold, Jim.
D230 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Female Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
A line-up of military personnel in the vicinity of the AVRO factory.
In 1939 when war commenced a contingent of 52 WAAFS were stationed at the airport, 4 officers and 48 other ranks.
Donated by Colleen Boulton.
D231 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Female Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
A group of WAAFS or ATS who were stationed at the airport.
Donated by Colleen Boulton.
D234 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Female Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
Two girls who were working at the AVRO, possibly military personnel (they are wearing shirts and ties under their overalls)
D233 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO Military Personnel – 1939 – 1945
A group of women who worked at the AVRO, Mary Bland is on the left.
The reverse has the address 4 Alva Terrace Guiseley which was the home of the grandfather of the donator of this image, Colleen Boulton.
FB487 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO – 1939 – 1945
On the left is Mark Phin (grandfather of the donor of this image Andrew Brown), the plane is an Avro Hanson Light Bomber.
Donated by Andrew Brown.
FB488 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO – 1939 – 1945
A few of the many people who worked at the AVRO factory.
FB489 – AVRO, 1939 – 1945.
AVRO – 1939 – 1945
On the back row, 3rd from the left is Mark Phin, he came from Jedburgh, Gallashields, Scotland.
He was a painter and was sent to work at the AVRO factory, he died in 1973. his grandson Andrew Brown donated this image.
Previous Comments:
Re X138
Richard Braithwaite
The lady with her face partially obscured on the back row between the fuselage and inner left side engine is Bessie Tordoff. My mum.
06 October 2020.
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Consolidated by Jack Brayshaw. 07 November 2021.
Last updated: 12 September 2023 – Photo ID: N985, N982, & 2nd page introduced. 27 November 2022 – All images reviewed.
