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WWII Women of Steel are thanked WWII Women of Steel are thanked
(about 2 hours later)
The work of hundreds of women who toiled in the steel factories of South Yorkshire during World War II has been formally recognised by the Government. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to hundreds of female workers who toiled in the steel factories of South Yorkshire during World War II.
The workers, who became known as the Women of Steel, produced metal which was essential for the war effort. The workers, known as the Women of Steel, produced metal which was essential for the war effort.
Ruby Gascoigne, 87, Dorothy Slingsby, 88, and Kathleen Roberts and Kit Sollitt, both 90, travelled to London to be thanked by the veterans minister. Among them were Ruby Gascoigne, 87, Dorothy Slingsby, 88, Kathleen Roberts and Kit Sollitt, both 90, who were honoured on a visit to Downing Street.
They went from Sheffield on a train named the Women of Steel Express. They travelled from Sheffield on a train named the Women of Steel Express.
'Fantastic job' The engine was specially renamed in honour of the occasion and was unveiled by the four steel mill veterans before their journey on Wednesday.
The engine has been specially renamed in honour of the occasion and was unveiled by the four steel mill veterans before their journey on Wednesday. The women received a special letter of thanks from veterans minister Kevan Jones and met Sheffield MPs at the House of Commons before visiting 10 Downing Street.
The women, who are representing more than 100 surviving Women of Steel, went to the Ministry of Defence where they received a letter of thanks from Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones. Women provided essential labour during World War II
They then had lunch at the House of Commons before visiting 10 Downing Street. Mr Brown said: "I am delighted to welcome some of Sheffield's Women of Steel to No 10 today and to have the chance to thank some of these incredible women in person for their sterling service during World War II.
Sheffield Central MP, Richard Caborn, who helped organise the trip, said: "These women did a fantastic job and were absolutely crucial to keep the factories going during the war." "Their striking stories show the crucial role they played in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions."
After the visit, Ms Roberts told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that it had been a "wonderful" day.
"It's been really marvellous", she said.
The women worked to create metal which was used for guns, tanks and planes during the war.The women worked to create metal which was used for guns, tanks and planes during the war.