The Second World War took its toll on all sections of society. The appeal for women to work outside of the home in the many ammunition factories to support the war effort was taken up by many women from the colliery villages. They worked for eight hours at the factory, taking up their care-giving roles and all that involved, when they returned home. Their days continued to be long and strenuous.

After the war the government introduced a series of initiatives intended to improve the lives of the nation. A reformed education system was introduced in 1944, nationalisation in 1947 and a national health service in 1948. At last things were looking up for coal-mining families.

With this bright new horizon, little did the women in Hannah’s family realise that they would represent the last generation of women of the Durham Coalfield.