Ajax in Durham Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

D.I.L. Defence Industries limited

The Heart of Ajax

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 3, 2024

1. D.I.L. Defence Industries limited Marker

Inscription. This area (Harwood Avenue / Kings Crescent / Churchill Road / Roosevelt Avenue) was the administrative centre for the Canadian government sponsored Defence Industries Limited (D.I.L.) munitions plant.

The D.I.L. complex was initiated in 1940 and eventually became the largest ammunition plant in the British Empire, employing more than 9,000 workers from all parts of Canada.

This neighbourhood housed the main offices, hospital, recreation centre, library, post office and bank, as well as housing for managers and supervisors, some of which remain as private family homes. At the present time, only a few of the original industrial buildings are still in use.

The D.I.L. era was the beginning of the urbanization of this area. The name "Ajax" was chosen in honour of H.M.S. Ajax, a famous World War I cruiser, and most of the local street names honour the veterans of the ship.

Erected 2002 by Heritage Ajax Advisory Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 43° 51.045′ N, 79° 1.251′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Ajax, Ontario, in Durham Region. It is on Harwood Avenue South, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 65 Harwood Ave South, Ajax ON L1S L1S, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto,

specifically on the Golden Horseshoe,

in the York, Durham and Headwaters Area,

and in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Founding of Ajax / La Fondation D’Ajax (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Women’s Residences (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Village Bell (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); The Founding of Pickering (approx. 2.9 kilometers away); St. George's Anglican Church & Cemetery (approx. 3 kilometers away); Almond Village Commemorative Site

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 3, 2024

2. D.I.L. Defence Industries limited Marker

(approx. 3.4 kilometers away); Whitby’s Name Change, 1847 (approx. 6.8 kilometers away); Traditional Territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island (approx. 6.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ajax.

Also see . . . Defence Industries Limited Tour.

Defence Industries Limited (DIL) was, at the time, the largest munition plant in the British Commonwealth. It operated from February 1941 to August 1945, 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. Other than Sunday, the only day of the year that the plant was closed was Christmas Day.

(Submitted on October 19, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Aerial photo of D.I.L. Defence Industries Limited image. Click for full size.

3. Aerial photo of D.I.L. Defence Industries Limited

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 607 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.