Women were present in many new ways during the war years in the early 1940s. They filled the gap in industry and manufacturing when men joined the armed forces or shipyards. With the official opening of the munitions factory in Saint-Malo and women’s involvement there, the Dominion Arsenal grew from 608 to 2,650 employees in less than a year.

1940 - 1940

The war effort: Women’s work in the Dominion Arsenal's factory

The armed conflicts of World War II affected every area of activity and every citizen. In Québec City, the war effort greatly involved industry. Dominion Arsenal produced an impressive quantity of munitions every day at a factory in the Saint-Malo quarter. The "Arsenal Saint-Malo", as it was known to the local population, mobilized a predominantly female workforce. Women, indeed, became central to this prolific military-supply operation. Explore this album that highlights these workers’ dedication and decisive effort during this challenging period in history. What do you know about the munitions factories in Québec City and women’s wartime involvement in their operations?

Women labourers at the Arsenal factory in Saint-Malo

Auteur inconnu Women were present in many new ways during the war years in the early 1940s. They filled the gap in industry and manufacturing when men joined the armed forces or shipyards. With the official opening of the munitions factory in Saint-Malo and women’s involvement there, the Dominion Arsenal grew from 608 to 2,650 employees in less than a year.

Chronoscope Can you date this photo? (unilingual French for a limited time)

Depicted period: 1940

Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Date: circa 1940

OPEN