Tributes for Dot Hull - Britain's first female demolition worker

We are sorry to report that Dorothy Hull (better known to her friends as Dot), Britain's first female demolition worker, died on January 15th aged 77 due to asbestos-related cancer.

A female on a demolition site in the 1960's was certainly unusual considering what women were "expected to do" back then. It's also a sign of how far we have come. Females working in any industry now is no longer unusual or surprising.

According to The Star, which featured Dot back in the 60's:

"Dot ran ADH Demolitions Ltd as equals with her devoted husband Archie. They were contracted to Sheffield Council along with five other firms when they had the mammoth job of demolishing hundreds of homes and factories between 1962 and 1989 through compulsory purchase orders."

Dot commanded respect on site and even saved "one of the lads" lives when he made a jump, didn't make it, and she caught him. Her arm caused her trouble after that, but we're sure she would have done the same thing again if given the chance.

If running a demolition company on equal terms with her husband in the 60's, working on site, and saving someone's life in the process wasn't enough of an achievement to impress you, we'll give you one more. Last year, aged 76, Dot gained her LGV lorry license!

Dot will be remembered fondly and our thoughts are with her family. She is survived by her husband Archie, daughter Tina, and two granddaughters Chloe (14) and Hannah (9).

Source: The Star (complete with photos of young Dot working in demolition)