GECO (General Engineering Company of Canada)–Canada’s biggest WWII munitions plant — which employed over 21,000 Canadians, predominantly women courageously working with high explosives around the clock (Source).

Note: Scarborough for those who are not from Ontario is just East of Toronto and is part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). By car it would take me around 30-40 mins to get to their location from my home.

1940s Vintage photo of Bomb Girls in ontario Canada. Performing an ammunition quality inspection, GECO munitions factory, Scarborough, c. 1943. Courtesy of the Hamilton Family. — Performing an ammunition quality inspection, GECO munitions factory, Scarborough, c. 1943. Courtesy of Heritage Toronto

The Bomb Girls Of Scarborough, Ontario Canada

High Level Summary of Life at GECO

A woman measuring piece of munitions at the General Engineering Company 1940s vintage photo from Archives of Ontario

1943 photo of a woman measuring piece of munitions at the General Engineering Company. Source: Archives of Ontario

GECO was a shell filling factory – empty shells were sent to GECO, and its workers would have the dangerous task of turning them into explosives, and shipping them overseas. The workforce comprised mainly young women with no factory experience, and at times, no work experience at all. Dubbed “Munitionettes,” “Fusiliers,” or “Bomb Girls”, they had a half day’s training and took a secrecy oath before being put to work.

An estimated 21,000 people worked at the factory during its four years of operation, creating a unique community. The company had its own newspaper, called the GECO Fusilier, and for $1 a year workers could join the GECOcites Recreation Club which hosted softball games and built a mini-putt green and a lawn bowling area. There were sold out monthly dances, Victory bond drives and gardens, talent shows, and bingo was so popular that they had to stagger seatings. Workers took breaks in a massive 2000 seat cafeteria where the kitchen served 3000 meals a day, and an annual Christmas dinner of 400 turkeys. With the help of a Canadian Government incentive, the factory even provided childcare for working mothers (Source).

Working in the GECO munitions factory, Scarborough, 1940. Courtesy of Heritage Toronto

Some of what we are going to see today, includes pages from the factory newspaper, “GECO Fusilier.” In addition to photographs of women working with munitions, there are pictures of leisure activities in the 1940s, wartime nurseries, clothing recycling during WWII, fashion of the era, pin-up girls, and beauty pageants.

Special thank you to the Archives of Ontario for uploading this fantastic images! Can’t wait to see more.

Let’s see what life was like at GECO!

Vintage Photos of 1940’s Life at GECO

Mary Pickford posing with a group of employees during her visit to the General Engineering Company 1940s vintage photo — Mary Pickford posing with a group of employees during her visit to GECO-June 5th, 1943.

Clothing salvage centre at the GECO munitions factory-1943. I love the 1940s fashions in this photo! From the hats, the dresses, the little girls dress to the Simplicity sewing patterns on the mantel, it’s all wonderful!

1940s Vintage Photo of Clothing salvage centre at the General Engineering Company (Canada) munitions factory

Two adorable children at the war time nursery-1943.

Having a daycare / nursery was a must at GECO with nobody at home to watch the children.

Two Black children at a war time nursery at the General Engineering Company (Canada) munitions factory-1940s vintage photo

A young girl all dressed up playing the accordion for the kids in the nursery -1943. I love accordions so I just had to add it!

Girl playing the accordion at a war time nursery at the General Engineering Company (Canada) munitions factory. 1940s vintage photo

“Miss War Worker GECO Finals” (to pick the ladies who will go into the main competition)-1942.

ABOUT: On July 18, 1942, more than 100 contestants from Canada’s major military manufacturing plants vied for the title of “Miss War Worker.” The winner, Dorothy Linham, starred in a Palmolive Soap advertisement (Source). The purpose was to keep spirits up and let everyone have a bit of fun.

Further Reading: Vintage Canadian Beauty Pageants

Miss War Worker Finals" - "Fusilier July 18th, 1942. Image features a group of women in their factory outfits standing in line to be judged.

Group photo of the GECO Miss War Worker Content Contestants-1942.

Group photo of the GECO Miss War Worker Content Contestants-1940s Vintage Photo

Let the Miss War Worker Contest Begin! Go GECO!

1940s Vintage Photo of the Miss War Worker Contest in Toronto, Canada

The Final 3 of the Miss War Worker 1942 Contest. GECO made it into the Top 3. Yay!

YOOZA!!!! Who knew that factory uniforms could look so darn fantastic?!

The Finalists of the Miss War Worker 1942 Contest. 1940s Vintage Photo of a WW2 Beauty Contest

Our ladies of GECO posed for Pinup photos in 1943. Here are some of the images…

1940s Vintage Photo of a young woman from GECO Munitions factory in 1940s fashion.

I just found out about a month ago that the lovely lady posing below, is the mother of one of my swing dancing friends! How cool!

1940s Vintage Photo of a young woman from GECO Munitions factory in 1940s fashion. She is dressed a pinup sailor

Fans of 1940s Hairstyles will love our GECO lady with the hair flower (I know I do!).

Further Reading: A Vintage Guide to 1940s Hair Accessories

1940s Vintage of a group of integrated ladies swing dancing together by the Jukebox in 1940s fashions (spot the Saddle Shoes!!).

1940s vintage photo of Black Women and White Women sharing a dance floor together in 1940s fashions and swing dancing.

Fun at the Bowling Alley! So many wonderful 1940s hairstyles on display.

1940s Vintage Photo of Workers from Geco Munitions factory at a bowling alley . Super 1940s Fashions

What a great group of photos! Now here a few pages from the GECO company magazine, “Fusilier Magazine”- Vol. 1 No. 2 Cover (April 11th, 1942).

1940s Vintage Magazine from GECO featuring a cartoon talking about the War work women did during WW2 in Canada.

Here is the article from the Fusilier (August 1, 1942) on K. Russel from GECO who made it into the finals ouf the Miss War Worker contest. She tied for 4th and received a beautiful pen and pencil set. Congrats! See more magazine pages at the Archives of Ontario HERE.

1940s Vintage Magazine 1940s Vintage Newspaper from GECO talking about the Beauty Contest Finalist a war worker from GECO

For a longer history lesson of the women of GECO, I will encourage you to read Barbara Dickson book (& visit her website) “Bomb Girls–Trading Aprons for Ammo“. Barbara has interviewed many women that worked at this plant and documented their stories and images. Its a fantastic read!

If you are on Facebook, check out the page “Bomb Girls of Scarborough“. It’s also a gold mine of fantastic images and stories of these amazing women keeping the boys overseas safe while doing their work for the WW2 Homefront.

Share what your favorite photos were in the comment section below.

FURTHER READING:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

HISTORY of the Small Arms Inspection Building

The Small Arms Inspection Building is located on the 15.7 hectare parcel of land known as the Arsenal Lands on the eastern border of Mississauga’s waterfront. In 1940, the site became a large munitions plant manufacturing rifles and small arms for the Canadian Army through the Second World War until 1974. Small Arms Limited recruited and supported a significant number of women, who made up about two-thirds of the factory’s workforce. This was critical to changing the role of women and recognizing their significance to the workforce in Canada.

In 1992, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) acquired the Arsenal Lands and the Small Arms Inspection Building. In 2008, the City of Mississauga intervened as the building was scheduled for demolition and designated the building under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2009. The City of Mississauga acquired the building in 2017 with the intention of repurposing it as an arts and culture hub (which it is today). (SOURCE).

The images on the side of the building if you had not already figured it out, were women who worked at the factory and helped with the war effort. Love this!!