Lakeridge Gardens Resident, Louise Johnson, Reflects on being a "Bomb Girl" During World War II

From a growing up in a small town in Saskatchewan, to becoming a local legend, 101 year-old Lakeridge Gardens resident, Louise Johnson, is believed to be the last living World War II “Bomb Girl” in Canada.

Louise was one of thousands of women who came to what was then Pickering Township, to work at Defence Industries Limited (DIL), the largest munitions plant in the British Commonwealth built during World War II. 

Although it was uncommon for women to work before the war, growing up on a farm, Louise was no stranger to hard work.

“I worked from the time I was four years old,” said Louise. “In those days, children were brought up to collect eggs or feed chickens.”

In 1942 with most men off at war, Louise was working in a Saskatoon hospital supporting and managing student residences when she got the call from DIL recruiters.

“The phone rang and they invited me for an interview for a job in Ontario filling shells for the war and they offered twice as much as I was making,” recalled Louise.

In November 1942 at the age of 21, Louise packed her bags and boarded a train headed eastbound for Ontario, joining hundreds of other women from across Canada to work at DIL.

“We all come to two crossings in the road, and how you end up depends on your thoughts at the time and the opportunities in front of you,” said Louise.

Louise filled shells with about 30 other women and eventually worked in the office after taking a typing course in night school.

Safety was a top priority at the plant. “They were so strict with cleanliness,” Louise explained. The place was spotless to avoid creating any friction or electricity. It was a dangerous job, but so carefully managed.”

Workers put in eight-hour shifts, rotating around the clock, six days a week. “It was a job that had to be done and it was our contribution to the war,” said Louise. “We didn’t know we were going to win the war and we didn’t think or plan beyond that. It was life.”

Louise explains there were always dances and different activities for the workers.

At DIL, she met her future husband, Russell. Together they have one daughter, three grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

After the war ended and the plant closed in 1945, Louise planted roots in Ajax, working for the local newspaper and then for Dickson Printing until she retired in 1986.

Louise has remained active in the community. She says she’s seen Ajax grow from a farm community to what it is now, a bustling town. 

In 2021, the Town of Ajax created the Louise Johnson Parkette, in honour of Louise’s 100^th birthday and significant community contributions over the years.

In the spring of 2022, Louise moved into Lakeridge Gardens, which sits almost directly on the lands of the former DIL plant. She’s enjoyed writing letters and reading books, something she says she always wanted to do but never had time to.

“If you have to be some place, this is the place to be,” said Louise.

At 101, feels she has lived an amazing life and it’s clear her strong work ethic and passion for community involvement remains close to her heart. 

“I’m not boasting but if more people put the shoulder to the wheel, life would be better for everybody,” said Louise.