Free Farming Scholarships for Women.
[I wonder what happened to the women who were awarded these scholarships when the war ended?]
Showing posts with label new occupations for women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new occupations for women. Show all posts
Friday, 31 August 2018
Farming Scholarships for Women
From the Essex Newsman, 25th August 1918.
The Board of Agriculture are offering 10 free scholarships for women, tenable at the Midland Agricultural College, Kingston, Derby, for a combined practical and theoretical course in farming of about 22 weeks’ duration, to commence early in October. The scholarships will cover cost of maintenance and tuition; preference will be given to candidates over 21 years of age suitable for the positions of fore-women, under bailiffs, instructresses, etc. Only women who have had considerable practical experience on the land, and will undertake agricultural work for the duration of the war, will be eligible.
[I wonder what happened to the women who were awarded these scholarships when the war ended?]
[I wonder what happened to the women who were awarded these scholarships when the war ended?]
Sunday, 22 July 2018
Women Munition Workers
From the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 19th July 1918.
If you passed it on your bicycle you would never imagine it was a fuse factory. If you guessed you would probably say “Technical School." Built since the war, in the heart of an agricultural district, it seems far from industry; farther yet from the war. Stretches of fields, grey, quiet country roads, peaceful farmsteads, the chirrupings of birds, and the indolent sigh of the wind are all about it. It is a ruddy, glowing picture in the sunlight. The workshops themselves are the airiest I know. The women come of farming stock, and have brought their red cheeks and fresh complexions from the farm to the factory.
Very shy were they of the whizzing wheels in the beginning. There was none of that inherited mechanical skill that the child born of textile workers soon manifests. The change from cow milking to lathe minding was too great to be easily made. So they started on hand lathes—just one or two of them—and as they saw their hurts were no more than a bruised finger or so they shifted to the power-driven lathes. In that way they were won over. At lunch time you may see them scurrying down the yard to the bicycle shed, and riding off to the farms for dinner. Not all though; very many use the canteen, and indeed some—who lodge in the neighbourhood—find the food so good and cheap that they have all their meals there.
At many of the factories you may find the men smoking, their eyes on their jobs, their pipes gripped hard in their teeth, the smoke spurting from their lips. "It helps the job on," I was told, and although it is a war innovation it is doubtful whether it will ever stop.
But, of course, the great revolution of the shops has been in their employment of women. The scoffers of 1915 are the enthusiasts of to-day. A firm which originally employed only 833 women now finds work for 2,097, at another factory their numbers have grown from 45 to 2,000. Their employment has been part of the dilution scheme, and the output has, generally, increased as a consequence.
Folk have been saying "The women are splendid" for a year or more. They cannot say it often enough. I watched a group of girls painting shells. "How many to-day, Alice?" asked the manager. "A hundred an' forty-six" was the smiling reply. As we walked away he said, "Do you know, three months ago they were doing only eighty an hour, and we thought that was capital. They get just the same pay now. They're the most wonderful workers in the world."
Next there is the first-aid room. Most factories have one these days. No longer is it necessary for men to extract bits of metal from each other's eyes with knife blades—as I have seen them do. Now, a uniformed nurse, skilled, efficient, re-assuring, does the job.
And finally in many factories there are the practical "schools" on the premises, where the boys between 14 and 16 are taught one day a week something of the theory and more advanced parts of their job. They get paid for that "schooling." In one works the twenty best lads are picked out every year to attend at the nearest University.
[The ‘dilution of labour” scheme was proposed at the end of 1915 to employ semi-skilled and unskilled men and women alongside skilled workers. Initially it was proposed as a way of maximising the output of skilled munitions workers, but it seems to have been overtaken by the demand for men to join the Army, so that women were by this time doing more skilled work than originally expected.]
OUR SPLENDID WOMEN.
THE WAR AND THE REVOLUTION OF THE WORKSHOPS.
(By a Correspondent.)
Very shy were they of the whizzing wheels in the beginning. There was none of that inherited mechanical skill that the child born of textile workers soon manifests. The change from cow milking to lathe minding was too great to be easily made. So they started on hand lathes—just one or two of them—and as they saw their hurts were no more than a bruised finger or so they shifted to the power-driven lathes. In that way they were won over. At lunch time you may see them scurrying down the yard to the bicycle shed, and riding off to the farms for dinner. Not all though; very many use the canteen, and indeed some—who lodge in the neighbourhood—find the food so good and cheap that they have all their meals there.
OUTPUT INCREASED.
One was not surprised to find that this factory held a record—out of 20,000 shells only seven were rejected. At another works there are lathes being used that are over half a century old, and which were recovered from the scrap heap. The manager said to me, "We have done with lathes what the army has done with men. These oldsters who thought their part in life was played are doing their most important life's work."At many of the factories you may find the men smoking, their eyes on their jobs, their pipes gripped hard in their teeth, the smoke spurting from their lips. "It helps the job on," I was told, and although it is a war innovation it is doubtful whether it will ever stop.
But, of course, the great revolution of the shops has been in their employment of women. The scoffers of 1915 are the enthusiasts of to-day. A firm which originally employed only 833 women now finds work for 2,097, at another factory their numbers have grown from 45 to 2,000. Their employment has been part of the dilution scheme, and the output has, generally, increased as a consequence.
Folk have been saying "The women are splendid" for a year or more. They cannot say it often enough. I watched a group of girls painting shells. "How many to-day, Alice?" asked the manager. "A hundred an' forty-six" was the smiling reply. As we walked away he said, "Do you know, three months ago they were doing only eighty an hour, and we thought that was capital. They get just the same pay now. They're the most wonderful workers in the world."
LIKE KNITTING STOCKINGS.
I have seen-them, men and women, tens of thousands of them, in various factories toiling with an enduring patience and attention that is past all praise. They are making, let me say, armour piercing bullets in an automatic lathe. If you expressed astonishment they would probably say, "It's only like knitting stockings," just as one woman handling heavy shells in Liverpool said in her laconic way when asked if they were not too heavy for her, "No heavier than a babby!"Next there is the first-aid room. Most factories have one these days. No longer is it necessary for men to extract bits of metal from each other's eyes with knife blades—as I have seen them do. Now, a uniformed nurse, skilled, efficient, re-assuring, does the job.
And finally in many factories there are the practical "schools" on the premises, where the boys between 14 and 16 are taught one day a week something of the theory and more advanced parts of their job. They get paid for that "schooling." In one works the twenty best lads are picked out every year to attend at the nearest University.
[The ‘dilution of labour” scheme was proposed at the end of 1915 to employ semi-skilled and unskilled men and women alongside skilled workers. Initially it was proposed as a way of maximising the output of skilled munitions workers, but it seems to have been overtaken by the demand for men to join the Army, so that women were by this time doing more skilled work than originally expected.]
Friday, 13 July 2018
The Life of a Woman Tram Driver
From Woman’s Weekly, July 13th 1918.
WOMEN tram-drivers are not over plentiful yet, and though I have been at the job for a good many weeks now, folk still come to a sudden stop in the street to look at me, in much the same way that they would look if they found a cassowary bird sitting in the middle of their potato patch.
And only yesterday two ladies preferred to walk instead of ride—"because one couldn't feel safe with a woman driver, my dear; a mere girl, too!”
That's by the way. Though it is true enough, some of the women drivers in our town top thirty, but the majority are “mere girls” of twenty or thereabouts. Not inefficient girls, though—if I says it as shouldn't! There's no escaping results.
At the outset I had no thought of driving a car. The idea would have made me laugh once. You see, I went on as a conductress—oh, more than a couple of years ago! —and I stuck it, though tram-conducting is nerve-racking, temper-straining, limb-tiring work for a girl, even if it is healthy from an open-air point of view. At the beginning of the year, when nearly all our men drivers had to go into the Army or on war work, the Company asked for volunteers from the conductresses to learn driving. I was one of those who volunteered, though if you ask me what made me, I can't tell you.
LEARNING TO DRIVE.
ANYWAY, my application was accepted, and I went out with one of the men, watching him and learning the how and why of tram-driving, and driving on my own while he stood by to supervise. Finally, the great day came when I put on a natty blue-and-red uniform, and took a car out entirely on my own—a fully qualified and reliable driver. Nervous, was I? Well, some! Sort of first night stage-fright; but it didn't last once the car was on the road. That was the beginning. I've gone on ever since, and the more I drive, the more I want to go on.
It isn't easy work or work to be taken up lightly as “interesting war work for women.” It wants steady nerves and strong physique, good balance and self-control, the power for brain and hand to act in unison—on the spur of the moment when necessary. Moreover, tram-driving differs from other driving. We've had one or two expert women motorists on trial who have been absolutely bunkered by the cars. Women with the worry habit aren't any good either. If you begin to think too much about being responsible for the safety of a car-load of persons—well, you will soon worry yourself out of driving and into an accident, for sure!
IT WAS AN EXPERIMENT.
IF you ask me, all the members of the Tramways Committee in our town were rather dubious about girl drivers when we started.
It was all necessity, and no choice which led to the innovation. But they are not so now—far from it. At the last meeting there were no end of complimentary things said about the women drivers, and a friendly message was sent to the Tramways Council of another city (which had lately downed the suggestion of having women tram-drivers) to the effect that there was no reason for them to fear to make the innovation if they could get girls like our girls. “Careful and conscientious; entirely dependable; interested in their work.” I’m only telling you what they said!
ME ON A TRAM CAR!
The Adventurous Life of a Girl Driver.
WOMEN tram-drivers are not over plentiful yet, and though I have been at the job for a good many weeks now, folk still come to a sudden stop in the street to look at me, in much the same way that they would look if they found a cassowary bird sitting in the middle of their potato patch.
And only yesterday two ladies preferred to walk instead of ride—"because one couldn't feel safe with a woman driver, my dear; a mere girl, too!”
That's by the way. Though it is true enough, some of the women drivers in our town top thirty, but the majority are “mere girls” of twenty or thereabouts. Not inefficient girls, though—if I says it as shouldn't! There's no escaping results.
At the outset I had no thought of driving a car. The idea would have made me laugh once. You see, I went on as a conductress—oh, more than a couple of years ago! —and I stuck it, though tram-conducting is nerve-racking, temper-straining, limb-tiring work for a girl, even if it is healthy from an open-air point of view. At the beginning of the year, when nearly all our men drivers had to go into the Army or on war work, the Company asked for volunteers from the conductresses to learn driving. I was one of those who volunteered, though if you ask me what made me, I can't tell you.
LEARNING TO DRIVE.
ANYWAY, my application was accepted, and I went out with one of the men, watching him and learning the how and why of tram-driving, and driving on my own while he stood by to supervise. Finally, the great day came when I put on a natty blue-and-red uniform, and took a car out entirely on my own—a fully qualified and reliable driver. Nervous, was I? Well, some! Sort of first night stage-fright; but it didn't last once the car was on the road. That was the beginning. I've gone on ever since, and the more I drive, the more I want to go on.
It isn't easy work or work to be taken up lightly as “interesting war work for women.” It wants steady nerves and strong physique, good balance and self-control, the power for brain and hand to act in unison—on the spur of the moment when necessary. Moreover, tram-driving differs from other driving. We've had one or two expert women motorists on trial who have been absolutely bunkered by the cars. Women with the worry habit aren't any good either. If you begin to think too much about being responsible for the safety of a car-load of persons—well, you will soon worry yourself out of driving and into an accident, for sure!
IT WAS AN EXPERIMENT.
IF you ask me, all the members of the Tramways Committee in our town were rather dubious about girl drivers when we started.
It was all necessity, and no choice which led to the innovation. But they are not so now—far from it. At the last meeting there were no end of complimentary things said about the women drivers, and a friendly message was sent to the Tramways Council of another city (which had lately downed the suggestion of having women tram-drivers) to the effect that there was no reason for them to fear to make the innovation if they could get girls like our girls. “Careful and conscientious; entirely dependable; interested in their work.” I’m only telling you what they said!
Monday, 18 June 2018
TIZ for Conductresses
From Woman's Weekly, 15th June 1918.
When your poor, suffering feet ache from the continual running up and down the stairs, when the leather begins to draw and there is constant friction producing hard skin, corns, and bunions—don't experiment—just use TIZ. Get instant relief. TIZ puts peace in tired., aching, painful feet. Ah! how comfortable your boots feel at once. Run up and down all day long, feet won't hurt you after using TIZ.
Sore, tender, perspiring feet need TIZ, because it's the only remedy that draws out all the poisonous exudations which puff up the feet and cause foot torture. TIZ is the only remedy that takes pain_ and soreness right out of corns, hard skin, and bunions.
Miss A. Forrester, Greenaway, Ascot, writes: "This winter I suffered very much for three months with frost-bite. I was quite crippled, and unable to wear anything but a very old shoe. After using TIZ regularly every night and before going out for about ten days I was entirely cured and able to walk again with perfect comfort.
Get a 1/3 box of TIZ at any chemist's or stores. And send a box to your boy at the Front—he'll appreciate it, sure enough.
"Stairs? Oh, yes ! But use Tiz."
"TIZ" Keeps me from Feeling Tired.
TIZ for puffed-up, aching, tender feet, for corns or chilblains, TIZ is glorious!
When your poor, suffering feet ache from the continual running up and down the stairs, when the leather begins to draw and there is constant friction producing hard skin, corns, and bunions—don't experiment—just use TIZ. Get instant relief. TIZ puts peace in tired., aching, painful feet. Ah! how comfortable your boots feel at once. Run up and down all day long, feet won't hurt you after using TIZ.
Sore, tender, perspiring feet need TIZ, because it's the only remedy that draws out all the poisonous exudations which puff up the feet and cause foot torture. TIZ is the only remedy that takes pain_ and soreness right out of corns, hard skin, and bunions.
Miss A. Forrester, Greenaway, Ascot, writes: "This winter I suffered very much for three months with frost-bite. I was quite crippled, and unable to wear anything but a very old shoe. After using TIZ regularly every night and before going out for about ten days I was entirely cured and able to walk again with perfect comfort.
Get a 1/3 box of TIZ at any chemist's or stores. And send a box to your boy at the Front—he'll appreciate it, sure enough.
"Stairs? Oh, yes ! But use Tiz."
Saturday, 2 June 2018
TIZ for Land-girls
From Woman's Weekly, June 1st 1918.
Good-bye sore feet, burning feet, swollen feet, perspiring feet, tired feet.
Good-bye corns, hard skin, bunions, and chilblains. No more shoe tightness, no more limping with pain or drawing up your face in agony. TIZ is magical, acts right off. TIZ draws out all the poisonous exudations which puff up the feet. Use TIZ and wear smaller shoes. Use TIZ and forget your foot misery. Ah! how comfortable your feet feel.
Don't forget to include TIZ in your parcel to the boys at the Front.
"I cannot speak too highly of TIZ," declares Nurse L. A. Clears, 22, Fawnbrake-avenuc, Herne Hill, S.E. "It has given me wonderful relief after being a great sufferer from tender feet and bad corns. I have used TIZ three times and can now walk anywhere without discomfort."
Get a 1/3 box of TIZ now at chemist's or store. Don't suffer. Have good feet, glad feet, feet that never swell, never hurt, never get tired. A year's foot comfort guaranteed or money refunded.
"TIZ" - a Joy to Sore, Tired Feet.
"After the day's work, thanks to TIZ I feel as fresh as a daisy."
Good-bye sore feet, burning feet, swollen feet, perspiring feet, tired feet.
Good-bye corns, hard skin, bunions, and chilblains. No more shoe tightness, no more limping with pain or drawing up your face in agony. TIZ is magical, acts right off. TIZ draws out all the poisonous exudations which puff up the feet. Use TIZ and wear smaller shoes. Use TIZ and forget your foot misery. Ah! how comfortable your feet feel.
Don't forget to include TIZ in your parcel to the boys at the Front.
"I cannot speak too highly of TIZ," declares Nurse L. A. Clears, 22, Fawnbrake-avenuc, Herne Hill, S.E. "It has given me wonderful relief after being a great sufferer from tender feet and bad corns. I have used TIZ three times and can now walk anywhere without discomfort."
Get a 1/3 box of TIZ now at chemist's or store. Don't suffer. Have good feet, glad feet, feet that never swell, never hurt, never get tired. A year's foot comfort guaranteed or money refunded.
Sunday, 8 April 2018
My Life as a Lady Cook
From Woman’s Weekly, April 6th 1918.
MADGE looked up from the account book with flushed face and sparkling eyes.
"No good, Mary," she said, "we can’t struggle on any longer. Here we are at the end of the summer and only £20 to the good."
I looked round our cosy den with a feeling of regret. It was exactly five years since I had left my father's quiet vicarage, and my chum and I had started on our venture as boarding-house keepers. Five happy years they had been, taking all things into consideration.
Until the war started, that was. But when I tell you that our boarding-house was on the East Coast, I need hardly say more. As the aeroplanes grew greater in number, our guests grew appreciably fewer, until at last we found we could not count upon doing more than one fourth of our usual business.
"Of course," went on Madge, "that means we must both find something else to do. I've a great mind to try working on the land, but there's not much doubt as to what you'll do!"
"Oh, isn't there?" I said. "Well, perhaps you'll tell me, because at the moment I haven't the faintest idea."
"Well, with your talent, I shouldn't hesitate a moment. You'd be snapped up as a lady cook to-morrow."
Why, of course! It was a wonder I hadn't thought of it before. If there was one thing upon which I prided myself, it was my cooking. I had always loved it.
COOKS ARE ALWAYS IN DEMAND.
WELL do I remember the advice given me by the old chef from whom I took my finishing lessons before starting my boarding-house career.
"It's a splendid thing to have at one's finger-ends," he said, "for it always ensures one a good livelihood. So long as man must eat food, food must be cooked, and so long will the services of the cook be in demand.
"But there are two things which those who would make good cooks must remember," he went on; "they must take a pleasure in their work, and they must be thoroughly trained. They can then demand a good salary and be always sure of a post."
How fervently I hoped that I might prove his words to be right, now that the opportunity had come!
A month later saw the winding-up of our affairs at "Moorside—select boarding establishment"—completed, and ourselves on our way to London, where we were to put up with a married sister of mine until we were settled.
Meaning to lose no time, the very next morning I went to my old friend the chef, who, when he learnt of my mission, hailed me with joy.
"Well," he cried, "if this is not lucky! Only to-day I have heard of the very post to suit you. The wages are good, £35, and I know you will be comfortable."
"It seems like Providence!" I exclaimed.
NO DRUDGERY FOR ME!
MY friend gave me the address, and, armed with this and a written recommendation from him, I set off for B——.
On my way down in the train I made up my mind that, if taking the position merely meant becoming someone's drudge, I should refuse it at once. "No working from 6.30 in the morning until 10 o'clock at night for me," I thought.
By the time I reached my destination I had worked myself into such a nervous state that I was more than half inclined to throw the whole thing up. How often I have had reason to be thankful that I did not.
I was taken at once to Mrs. R——, and I must admit that I was charmed with her straight away.
"It is a responsible position for one so young," she said, eyeing me doubtfully. "But a trial can do neither of us any harm.
"You will be required to take over the entire household management. That is to say, I shall leave the arrangement of all meals to you.
"Of course, you will have plenty of assistance, and should you require more you must let me know.
"You will have your own rooms—a bed-room, and a sitting-room, in which your meals will be served."
It sounded attractive enough, and before I left I had agreed to start my duties upon the following Monday.
PLENTY OF RESPONSIBILITY.
I FOUND that Mrs. R—— had in no wise overstated the case when she said that the entire household management would devolve upon me.
I was expected to purchase and provide the food for the house upon my own initiative. The more responsibility I undertook the more I was appreciated.
I had a kitchen-maid for my own especial use, and she did all the rough work, such as lighting fires, cleaning and scouring, and preparation.
As I said before, my heart was in my work, and I took a delight in concocting attractive menus—no easy task in these days of rations! I am sure the dishes I sent up made my reputation.
When Mrs. R—— was entertaining upon a large scale I found the work both arduous and heavy. But this was not by any means frequent, and at other times my work was congenial and reasonably light.
I found that by planning my work methodically I could get three hours to myself after lunch. Besides this, I had every Sunday afternoon and evening off, as the family always had cold supper instead of dinner on this day.
Mrs. R—— had two children—Jack and Jill. Twins they were, and great favourites of mine. They often came to tea with me in my pleasant little sitting-room. Their mother did not mind, and to me it made all the difference.
To those with a talent and a liking for cooking, who think a similar post would suit them, I would end with a word of advice
HOW TO OBTAIN A POST.
THERE are two ways of obtaining a post. First, you can choose a good agency—but be sure it is a good one; place your name upon the books and await developments. Or you can place an advertisement in any thoroughly reliable paper.
You will probably find that you have a choice of several different kinds of work. For instance, I had not been with Mrs. R—— many months before I was offered a post as lady cook and steward to a large West End club at a salary of £80 per annum. This I refused, as a home life had always held an attraction for me. And again, when my mother was ill and it was necessary for me to sleep at home, I found it quite an easy matter to obtain evening engagements. These, I may mention, were very well paid.
Personally, I think that my profession compares very favourably with many of those where the woman worker is employed.
[The wages quoted (£35 and £80) were for a whole year - but board and lodging were obviously provided too.]
“MY LIFE AS A LADY COOK”
By a Girl who Finds there is Always a Demand for Her Services.
MADGE looked up from the account book with flushed face and sparkling eyes.
"No good, Mary," she said, "we can’t struggle on any longer. Here we are at the end of the summer and only £20 to the good."
I looked round our cosy den with a feeling of regret. It was exactly five years since I had left my father's quiet vicarage, and my chum and I had started on our venture as boarding-house keepers. Five happy years they had been, taking all things into consideration.
Until the war started, that was. But when I tell you that our boarding-house was on the East Coast, I need hardly say more. As the aeroplanes grew greater in number, our guests grew appreciably fewer, until at last we found we could not count upon doing more than one fourth of our usual business.
"Of course," went on Madge, "that means we must both find something else to do. I've a great mind to try working on the land, but there's not much doubt as to what you'll do!"
"Oh, isn't there?" I said. "Well, perhaps you'll tell me, because at the moment I haven't the faintest idea."
"Well, with your talent, I shouldn't hesitate a moment. You'd be snapped up as a lady cook to-morrow."
Why, of course! It was a wonder I hadn't thought of it before. If there was one thing upon which I prided myself, it was my cooking. I had always loved it.
COOKS ARE ALWAYS IN DEMAND.
WELL do I remember the advice given me by the old chef from whom I took my finishing lessons before starting my boarding-house career.
"It's a splendid thing to have at one's finger-ends," he said, "for it always ensures one a good livelihood. So long as man must eat food, food must be cooked, and so long will the services of the cook be in demand.
"But there are two things which those who would make good cooks must remember," he went on; "they must take a pleasure in their work, and they must be thoroughly trained. They can then demand a good salary and be always sure of a post."
How fervently I hoped that I might prove his words to be right, now that the opportunity had come!
A month later saw the winding-up of our affairs at "Moorside—select boarding establishment"—completed, and ourselves on our way to London, where we were to put up with a married sister of mine until we were settled.
Meaning to lose no time, the very next morning I went to my old friend the chef, who, when he learnt of my mission, hailed me with joy.
"Well," he cried, "if this is not lucky! Only to-day I have heard of the very post to suit you. The wages are good, £35, and I know you will be comfortable."
"It seems like Providence!" I exclaimed.
NO DRUDGERY FOR ME!
MY friend gave me the address, and, armed with this and a written recommendation from him, I set off for B——.
On my way down in the train I made up my mind that, if taking the position merely meant becoming someone's drudge, I should refuse it at once. "No working from 6.30 in the morning until 10 o'clock at night for me," I thought.
By the time I reached my destination I had worked myself into such a nervous state that I was more than half inclined to throw the whole thing up. How often I have had reason to be thankful that I did not.
I was taken at once to Mrs. R——, and I must admit that I was charmed with her straight away.
"It is a responsible position for one so young," she said, eyeing me doubtfully. "But a trial can do neither of us any harm.
"You will be required to take over the entire household management. That is to say, I shall leave the arrangement of all meals to you.
"Of course, you will have plenty of assistance, and should you require more you must let me know.
"You will have your own rooms—a bed-room, and a sitting-room, in which your meals will be served."
It sounded attractive enough, and before I left I had agreed to start my duties upon the following Monday.
PLENTY OF RESPONSIBILITY.
I FOUND that Mrs. R—— had in no wise overstated the case when she said that the entire household management would devolve upon me.
I was expected to purchase and provide the food for the house upon my own initiative. The more responsibility I undertook the more I was appreciated.
I had a kitchen-maid for my own especial use, and she did all the rough work, such as lighting fires, cleaning and scouring, and preparation.
As I said before, my heart was in my work, and I took a delight in concocting attractive menus—no easy task in these days of rations! I am sure the dishes I sent up made my reputation.
When Mrs. R—— was entertaining upon a large scale I found the work both arduous and heavy. But this was not by any means frequent, and at other times my work was congenial and reasonably light.
I found that by planning my work methodically I could get three hours to myself after lunch. Besides this, I had every Sunday afternoon and evening off, as the family always had cold supper instead of dinner on this day.
Mrs. R—— had two children—Jack and Jill. Twins they were, and great favourites of mine. They often came to tea with me in my pleasant little sitting-room. Their mother did not mind, and to me it made all the difference.
To those with a talent and a liking for cooking, who think a similar post would suit them, I would end with a word of advice
HOW TO OBTAIN A POST.
THERE are two ways of obtaining a post. First, you can choose a good agency—but be sure it is a good one; place your name upon the books and await developments. Or you can place an advertisement in any thoroughly reliable paper.
You will probably find that you have a choice of several different kinds of work. For instance, I had not been with Mrs. R—— many months before I was offered a post as lady cook and steward to a large West End club at a salary of £80 per annum. This I refused, as a home life had always held an attraction for me. And again, when my mother was ill and it was necessary for me to sleep at home, I found it quite an easy matter to obtain evening engagements. These, I may mention, were very well paid.
Personally, I think that my profession compares very favourably with many of those where the woman worker is employed.
[The wages quoted (£35 and £80) were for a whole year - but board and lodging were obviously provided too.]
Sunday, 18 March 2018
A Day in the Life of a Girl Army Pay Clerk
From Woman’s Weekly, 16th March 1918.
THERE is an old saying in the Army that soldiering is made up of good times and bad ones, and the life of a girl clerk in the Army Pay Corps may be summed up similarly, with the addition , that the pay is seldom exceptionally good.
The work is to keep accounts, do ledger work, filing and indexing. Passing an easy test is all that is required to gain her this position. She begins at a salary of eighteen shillings a week, and rises to thirty shillings.
Her hours are from 9 a. m. to 6.15 p.m., with an hour for dinner and a quarter of an hour for tea; and on Saturdays from 9 to 12. She works according to Army regulations, and if she stops away without producing a doctor's certificate. her pay is stopped for the hours she is absent.
I remember last Christmas, before I knew of this rule, I was persuaded by a well-meaning hostess to stay over Boxing-night. This meant that, instead of arriving at the office punctually at nine o'clock, the morning train would not reach London until 11 o'clock.
On my arrival the supervisor said the major wanted to see me, and I was then informed that, by the rules and regulations of the Army, all my Christmas pay had been forfeited, exactly as a soldier's pay would have been stopped.
The life is right for the girl who has just left school and who lives at home; or for the woman who, not having had any experience of office work, wishes to "do her bit," to help the country, and is not dependent on the salary she may command. The business girl of experience, however, generally finds a better-paid post, for in those days one can hardly do more than exist on 30s. if bed, and board have to be paid for.
Still, the few months I spent in the Army Pay Corp were happy ones. Previous to this I had been a mother's help. I chose this way of earning my living because, though I was fairly well educated, I had neither the time or money to take up shorthand or typing to make myself proficient as a clerk.
The Army Pay Corps demands neither of these accomplishments, and the training I received there, working my way to the head of the room, enabled me to get a well-paid post in an office.
The work of the girl in the Army Pay Corps brings home to her continually the tragedy of war. The only bright visitors are the men home on leave, who make the office their first calling place to collect their leave-money.
Other visitors, who call to collect or see the accounts of their dear lost ones, carry the tragedy of their sorrow on their faces. But even here sometimes the visit has a happy ending.
He had no knowledge that he had been reported killed, and you can imagine the joy of the reunion. Never shall I forget the look of joy and thankfulness on that dear old mother's face as she and her boy passed out.
Many a woman now occupying a good position owes it to the training she received in the Army Pay Corps, and if the wages had been better I should-not have left.
[One of a series of Woman's Weekly articles about new job opportunities for women brought by the war. They seem to be honest about the good points and bad points of the jobs - here the author of the article is very clear that the pay is not enough to live on by itself, but that being a pay clerk could be useful experience for some women.]
A DAY IN MY LIFE.
The Girl Army Pay Clerk Tells Her Experiences.
The work is to keep accounts, do ledger work, filing and indexing. Passing an easy test is all that is required to gain her this position. She begins at a salary of eighteen shillings a week, and rises to thirty shillings.
Her hours are from 9 a. m. to 6.15 p.m., with an hour for dinner and a quarter of an hour for tea; and on Saturdays from 9 to 12. She works according to Army regulations, and if she stops away without producing a doctor's certificate. her pay is stopped for the hours she is absent.
I remember last Christmas, before I knew of this rule, I was persuaded by a well-meaning hostess to stay over Boxing-night. This meant that, instead of arriving at the office punctually at nine o'clock, the morning train would not reach London until 11 o'clock.
On my arrival the supervisor said the major wanted to see me, and I was then informed that, by the rules and regulations of the Army, all my Christmas pay had been forfeited, exactly as a soldier's pay would have been stopped.
The life is right for the girl who has just left school and who lives at home; or for the woman who, not having had any experience of office work, wishes to "do her bit," to help the country, and is not dependent on the salary she may command. The business girl of experience, however, generally finds a better-paid post, for in those days one can hardly do more than exist on 30s. if bed, and board have to be paid for.
Still, the few months I spent in the Army Pay Corp were happy ones. Previous to this I had been a mother's help. I chose this way of earning my living because, though I was fairly well educated, I had neither the time or money to take up shorthand or typing to make myself proficient as a clerk.
The Army Pay Corps demands neither of these accomplishments, and the training I received there, working my way to the head of the room, enabled me to get a well-paid post in an office.
The work of the girl in the Army Pay Corps brings home to her continually the tragedy of war. The only bright visitors are the men home on leave, who make the office their first calling place to collect their leave-money.
TEN DAYS' LEAVE.
THESE boys, with the mud of Flanders still upon their coats and boots, are proverbially cheery, but a broader smile is on their faces when they call on us—the smile of anticipation of the good times they mean to crowd into their ten days' leave.Other visitors, who call to collect or see the accounts of their dear lost ones, carry the tragedy of their sorrow on their faces. But even here sometimes the visit has a happy ending.
A JOYOUS REUNION.
I REMEMBER one day an old lady called to go through her boy’s accounts. He had been reported killed. She was -heartbroken and her sorrow was pitiful to witness. After hunting through the files, someone remembered that this particular account had been sent for by another department. A messenger was sent for it, and came back with the joyful news that, not only was the record of the boy's death a mistake, but the boy himself was actually in the office at that moment, claiming his account.He had no knowledge that he had been reported killed, and you can imagine the joy of the reunion. Never shall I forget the look of joy and thankfulness on that dear old mother's face as she and her boy passed out.
Many a woman now occupying a good position owes it to the training she received in the Army Pay Corps, and if the wages had been better I should-not have left.
[One of a series of Woman's Weekly articles about new job opportunities for women brought by the war. They seem to be honest about the good points and bad points of the jobs - here the author of the article is very clear that the pay is not enough to live on by itself, but that being a pay clerk could be useful experience for some women.]
Tuesday, 6 March 2018
Optical Munitions
From Woman’s Weekly, 2nd March 1918.
JESSICA'S mother had come to consult me; she is an old friend, and pretty, shy Jessica is my god-daughter.
“She's seventeen next week, and leaving school this spring,” said the anxious mother; “and I can't think what to get her to do. You see, she had set her heart upon fancy millinery or art needlework, but, as her father says, it is those luxury trades that are bound to be hard hit by the war as time goes on. And the girl herself would like to help in war-work if she could; but she’s not strong enough for rough work, you know. And it would be a pity to spoil her hands for millinery and needlework later, if one can avoid it, that is,” she added, for she is a good, patriotic soul, is Mrs. Browne, “Her eyesight is good?” I inquired.
“Splendid!” said Jessica, who had slipped unnoticed into the room.
She came up and kissed me, and I looked fondly at her; I am very fond of Jessica.
She is not exactly pretty, but she has two “points”—beautiful hands, with long, sensitive fingers, and blue-grey eyes with long, dark lashes that are as clear as truth itself.
“So you would like to help, lassie, would you?” I said softly.
I knew that there was a budding romance already in Jessica's life, and “he” " was out in France with a machine gun corps.
The girl nodded.
“Well, then, why not help to make Robin ‘eyes’ for spotting the enemy?” Then, seeing both mother and daughter were puzzled, I explained, “Go in for making those wonderful lenses and prisms that are used for the range-finders, the directors, the periscopes, and the binoculars, you know. They have to be most accurately ground and polished, or the submarines and the gunners and the air-men are ‘blind,’ and their weapons useless. And it is work that girls and women can do well, with their delicate, sensitive fingers and their keen, patient eyes. Just where your talents lie, lassie,” I said. “Even after the war there will be plenty of work in this way for telescopes, microscopes, photographic lenses, and all the other optical instruments we use. It isn't a ‘blind alley’ occupation, as some war jobs are bound to be, you see.”
HOW A GIRL CAN TRAIN.
“BUT the fees for training? Are they very heavy?” said Mrs. Browne anxiously. “You see there are the boys still ——”
“There aren't any fees,” I reassured her. “Jessica would be trained for nothing and given a good maintenance allowance into the bargain while learning. Ten to twenty weeks should see her skilled enough for a position which will be found for her quickly enough. In return, she must promise to work where she is sent, and stick to optical munitions until three months after peace is signed. And though she may be sent to any part of the United Kingdom, her wishes for a special district will be given consideration.”
THE PROSPECTS OFFERED.
“WHAT about my age?” asked Jessica.
“Just right; sixteen to thirty is the limit. Over thirty is possible if the case is considered suitable. And the wages are good, for some clever girls on piece work, at the end of six months in the factory, have earned 35s. to 40s. weekly.
“Better than millinery or art needle-work, that?” Jessica nodded.
“There is no physical strain; the work is usually done standing, but it is not heavy, and the day is not longer than nine and a half hours. Why not write to the Director, Optical Munitions Training School, Northampton Polytechnic Institute, 280, St. John's Street, London, E.C. 1? And at once, for there is no time to be lost.”
“She's young enough still,” objected Mrs. Browne, rather astonished.
“I meant the hurry for the other side of the question,” I said gravely. “The boys in the trenches, the men afloat, the lads in the air, and the doctors on research work—they are the ones who cannot afford time to be lost for want of our Jessica. Every new, keen worker means so much to them, you know.”
“And to us,” said Jessica very softly.
I smiled.
“I see you can fulfil the ‘willing’ bit,” I said. “A girl candidate must be willing to:
She had seen how she could help, not only “him,” but “them!”
The Eyes Of The Army
How to Become an Optical Munitions Maker.
“She's seventeen next week, and leaving school this spring,” said the anxious mother; “and I can't think what to get her to do. You see, she had set her heart upon fancy millinery or art needlework, but, as her father says, it is those luxury trades that are bound to be hard hit by the war as time goes on. And the girl herself would like to help in war-work if she could; but she’s not strong enough for rough work, you know. And it would be a pity to spoil her hands for millinery and needlework later, if one can avoid it, that is,” she added, for she is a good, patriotic soul, is Mrs. Browne, “Her eyesight is good?” I inquired.
“Splendid!” said Jessica, who had slipped unnoticed into the room.
She came up and kissed me, and I looked fondly at her; I am very fond of Jessica.
She is not exactly pretty, but she has two “points”—beautiful hands, with long, sensitive fingers, and blue-grey eyes with long, dark lashes that are as clear as truth itself.
“So you would like to help, lassie, would you?” I said softly.
I knew that there was a budding romance already in Jessica's life, and “he” " was out in France with a machine gun corps.
The girl nodded.
“Well, then, why not help to make Robin ‘eyes’ for spotting the enemy?” Then, seeing both mother and daughter were puzzled, I explained, “Go in for making those wonderful lenses and prisms that are used for the range-finders, the directors, the periscopes, and the binoculars, you know. They have to be most accurately ground and polished, or the submarines and the gunners and the air-men are ‘blind,’ and their weapons useless. And it is work that girls and women can do well, with their delicate, sensitive fingers and their keen, patient eyes. Just where your talents lie, lassie,” I said. “Even after the war there will be plenty of work in this way for telescopes, microscopes, photographic lenses, and all the other optical instruments we use. It isn't a ‘blind alley’ occupation, as some war jobs are bound to be, you see.”
HOW A GIRL CAN TRAIN.
“BUT the fees for training? Are they very heavy?” said Mrs. Browne anxiously. “You see there are the boys still ——”
“There aren't any fees,” I reassured her. “Jessica would be trained for nothing and given a good maintenance allowance into the bargain while learning. Ten to twenty weeks should see her skilled enough for a position which will be found for her quickly enough. In return, she must promise to work where she is sent, and stick to optical munitions until three months after peace is signed. And though she may be sent to any part of the United Kingdom, her wishes for a special district will be given consideration.”
THE PROSPECTS OFFERED.
“WHAT about my age?” asked Jessica.
“Just right; sixteen to thirty is the limit. Over thirty is possible if the case is considered suitable. And the wages are good, for some clever girls on piece work, at the end of six months in the factory, have earned 35s. to 40s. weekly.
“Better than millinery or art needle-work, that?” Jessica nodded.
“There is no physical strain; the work is usually done standing, but it is not heavy, and the day is not longer than nine and a half hours. Why not write to the Director, Optical Munitions Training School, Northampton Polytechnic Institute, 280, St. John's Street, London, E.C. 1? And at once, for there is no time to be lost.”
“She's young enough still,” objected Mrs. Browne, rather astonished.
“I meant the hurry for the other side of the question,” I said gravely. “The boys in the trenches, the men afloat, the lads in the air, and the doctors on research work—they are the ones who cannot afford time to be lost for want of our Jessica. Every new, keen worker means so much to them, you know.”
“And to us,” said Jessica very softly.
I smiled.
“I see you can fulfil the ‘willing’ bit,” I said. “A girl candidate must be willing to:
“Stand while working; “Stick to the job; “Go, when trained, where she is needed;“Wait for a vacancy, if a special locality is desired.”“Yes, I am willing,” said Jessica, and she meant it.
She had seen how she could help, not only “him,” but “them!”
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Statistics on Women Workers
From the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 18th February 1918.
The official “Labour Gazette” states that it is calculated that 700,000 women are now employed on munitions work and 650,000 on other industrial Government work. There are now 40,000 engaged on work for the Government in commercial occupations and transport. Over 1,413,000 men have been directly replaced by women.
MORE WOMEN WORKERS.
The official “Labour Gazette” states that it is calculated that 700,000 women are now employed on munitions work and 650,000 on other industrial Government work. There are now 40,000 engaged on work for the Government in commercial occupations and transport. Over 1,413,000 men have been directly replaced by women.
Saturday, 17 February 2018
“Wireless” Work for Girls
From Woman’s Weekly, February 16th 1918.
I HAVE learnt quite a new "war-work," something girls have never done before. My friends, when they hear I am doing "wireless" work, of course, all think I am an operator, and spend my time sending and receiving important messages, state secrets, and all kinds of exciting things. Well, they are all wrong. I am not an operator.
But if it were not for me and my fellow workers there would not be any messages sent, so you see how important my work is. My job is to keep in order and repair and clean the apparatus.
As you may suppose, the apparatus is of very delicate make, and has to be always in perfect working order. Everything has to be always ready for the operator, and now that we have such a number of wireless going, it means keeping a big staff of workers looking after them, and, of course, in these days we women do the job. It is very interesting, and it is quite light work. Some girls cannot stand for such long hours others do, so it is just the right kind for them, for you sit while-you are at work — so different to standing at a machine all day.
SIX WEEKS TO LEARN.
IT takes about six weeks to learn your job, and while you are being taught you receive 25s. a week maintenance allowance. During this time you learn absolutely everything that is necessary for you to know, and then you are sent off to a post just wherever you are most wanted.
The "powers that be" are very well satisfied with the women already engaged on the work; they consider it is essentially woman's work; they think our "little" hands are suitable. So that is satisfactory, at least that they think we all have small hands!
THE GIRL WHO GETS ON BEST.
THE girls who get on best are those with useful hands —those who know how to use their hands, and it wants brains, too.
If a girl is lucky enough to have learnt anything of physics at school, there are a few plums to be gathered. Also if a girl can draw, so that she can make copies of the machines; but the ordinary worker will get not less than 30s., 32s., and perhaps more.
In this, as in many other branches of work, the girl who works well, and is worth it, will get the best pay. The hours are about the ordinary war-hours—eleven to twelve hours; but do not forget you will sit, not stand.
NO SPECIAL UNIFORM.
THERE is no special uniform worn, but it is usual to wear an overall or a long coat. You can choose your own colour. Butcher blue always looks smart, and is quite the engineering shade of peace time; but whatever shade you select, avoid too light a one, and be very careful, for work of this kind, that the sleeves are short. It is best to have them tight-fitting, and to button, so that your blouse sleeve is kept up too. For delicate work it is fatal if sleeves get in the way.
WHEN THE WAR IS OVER.
"WHEN the war is over, what is to be-come of us and our work?" That is what you want to know, I am sure. Well, we have learnt, and are engaged on the job as "war-work;'' all the same, it may continue for a limited number of us when peace comes.
Everyone expects we are to be quite a flying nation, and that aeroplanes will play a large part in the daily life of the nation, for carrying mails and so forth. Well, the aeroplanes carry wireless apparatus, and this apparatus must be attended to then as well as now; although, of course, the number of women workers will be small, still it will employ a certain number of us.
We work now in various different parts, both in London and elsewhere. The Air Service use us to a large extent, and where there is wireless our services are wanted. There are certain centres—or shall I call them bases—where the sick wireless apparatus are attended to. In fact, we are a kind of Red Cross V.A.D. detachment for apparatus, and it is, I find, a very interesting form of sick nursing—quite one of the best kinds of war-work — useful, interesting work; quite good pay and just ordinary hours. What more can any girl want in war time? So come along, and join up— any woman medically fit, between the ages of 18 and 40. You can get all particulars at the nearest labour bureau, and then you can start training at once and in six weeks you will be doing your bit, like all your girl friends.
And, besides helping to win the war, you can think that maybe hundreds of lives are being saved by your doing this work. Think of the boats that have been mined, and of the thousands who would have perished had the wonderful wireless installation been out of order.
[This is another article in the series on new jobs for young women which Woman's Weekly was running. This one is particularly interesting for the discussion of whether the jobs would still be available to women after the end of the war.]
“WIRELESS” WORK FOR GIRLS.
THIS IS PERHAPS THE KIND OF WAR-WORK WHICH WOULD JUST SUIT YOU!
But if it were not for me and my fellow workers there would not be any messages sent, so you see how important my work is. My job is to keep in order and repair and clean the apparatus.
As you may suppose, the apparatus is of very delicate make, and has to be always in perfect working order. Everything has to be always ready for the operator, and now that we have such a number of wireless going, it means keeping a big staff of workers looking after them, and, of course, in these days we women do the job. It is very interesting, and it is quite light work. Some girls cannot stand for such long hours others do, so it is just the right kind for them, for you sit while-you are at work — so different to standing at a machine all day.
SIX WEEKS TO LEARN.
IT takes about six weeks to learn your job, and while you are being taught you receive 25s. a week maintenance allowance. During this time you learn absolutely everything that is necessary for you to know, and then you are sent off to a post just wherever you are most wanted.
The "powers that be" are very well satisfied with the women already engaged on the work; they consider it is essentially woman's work; they think our "little" hands are suitable. So that is satisfactory, at least that they think we all have small hands!
THE GIRL WHO GETS ON BEST.
THE girls who get on best are those with useful hands —those who know how to use their hands, and it wants brains, too.
If a girl is lucky enough to have learnt anything of physics at school, there are a few plums to be gathered. Also if a girl can draw, so that she can make copies of the machines; but the ordinary worker will get not less than 30s., 32s., and perhaps more.
In this, as in many other branches of work, the girl who works well, and is worth it, will get the best pay. The hours are about the ordinary war-hours—eleven to twelve hours; but do not forget you will sit, not stand.
NO SPECIAL UNIFORM.
THERE is no special uniform worn, but it is usual to wear an overall or a long coat. You can choose your own colour. Butcher blue always looks smart, and is quite the engineering shade of peace time; but whatever shade you select, avoid too light a one, and be very careful, for work of this kind, that the sleeves are short. It is best to have them tight-fitting, and to button, so that your blouse sleeve is kept up too. For delicate work it is fatal if sleeves get in the way.
WHEN THE WAR IS OVER.
"WHEN the war is over, what is to be-come of us and our work?" That is what you want to know, I am sure. Well, we have learnt, and are engaged on the job as "war-work;'' all the same, it may continue for a limited number of us when peace comes.
Everyone expects we are to be quite a flying nation, and that aeroplanes will play a large part in the daily life of the nation, for carrying mails and so forth. Well, the aeroplanes carry wireless apparatus, and this apparatus must be attended to then as well as now; although, of course, the number of women workers will be small, still it will employ a certain number of us.
We work now in various different parts, both in London and elsewhere. The Air Service use us to a large extent, and where there is wireless our services are wanted. There are certain centres—or shall I call them bases—where the sick wireless apparatus are attended to. In fact, we are a kind of Red Cross V.A.D. detachment for apparatus, and it is, I find, a very interesting form of sick nursing—quite one of the best kinds of war-work — useful, interesting work; quite good pay and just ordinary hours. What more can any girl want in war time? So come along, and join up— any woman medically fit, between the ages of 18 and 40. You can get all particulars at the nearest labour bureau, and then you can start training at once and in six weeks you will be doing your bit, like all your girl friends.
And, besides helping to win the war, you can think that maybe hundreds of lives are being saved by your doing this work. Think of the boats that have been mined, and of the thousands who would have perished had the wonderful wireless installation been out of order.
[This is another article in the series on new jobs for young women which Woman's Weekly was running. This one is particularly interesting for the discussion of whether the jobs would still be available to women after the end of the war.]
Sunday, 11 February 2018
Learn to Drive a Motor Tractor.
From Woman’s Weekly, February 9th 1918.
“SPEED the plough!” But how different the war-time plough from what will soon be looked upon as the pre-historic horse-plough! How nice it is to think that with all the new, up-to-date methods of work, girls are asked to come forward and help in the very first place.
The new motor tractors for ploughing are a great success; so are the girl drivers, too! They look so smart in land uniform, sitting on their seat on the tractor. The girls were asked to come forward for the work so that the plough-men could fight the foes in foreign lands while the girls were preparing the ground for the harvest, and thus helping to fill the storehouses of England with food.
Their work is next in importance to actual fighting.
WORK MUST BE DONE.
THE land girl has to work in winter as well as in summer. She must be prepared to stand heat and cold, rain or sunshine, for Mother Earth must be attended to if the crops are to grow, no matter what the weather is. But the land girl never complains; no matter what mood the clerk of the weather may be in, she goes on driving her motor tractor undisturbed by anything.
PLENTY OF WORK.
OF course, sometimes our girl drivers may be called upon to help with other land work, if for the moment she is not wanted for ploughing.
In these short, dark days, an hour or so may be spent in the farmyard when it is too late for the open. There is always plenty of work for a willing pair of hands to turn to.
LEARNING TO DRIVE.
TO drive a tractor is quite easy—when you know how; but, like most things worth knowing, it has to be learnt. There are no fees to learn, and the course only lasts from four to six weeks. At the end of that time a pupil will be an expert driver, and will know all about motor tractors that is worth knowing.
There is a special training school, hidden away "somewhere in England," where free board and training are given. After the first four weeks, the pupil will receive 4s. a week for the fifth and sixth weeks. Then she will be a fully trained motor tractor driver, able to take an appointment. She will get 25s. a week at first, afterwards she may expect 30s. a week, if she is "all right."
HER "BONUS."
THE ploughing world is very up-to-date, and after a month a bonus is given of 1s. for every acre ploughed, so that it is something to look forward to, if the work ever lacks in excitement! There is no need to say how healthy the life is, for we all know there is nothing like an open-air life for making healthy men and women. This branch of land work is not at all heavy either.
A nice, suitable outfit is provided free. Breeches, two overalls, leggings, hats, and clogs are supplied twice a year. A mackintosh is provided as well, but that is expected to last; so we see the driver has only to keep herself.
At present, board and lodging can be obtained in country places for 15s. a week. Although some things are as expensive as in towns, home-grown produce is, of course, cheap.
The idea many people have that land workers are not required in the winter is quite a mistake. So let the girl who wants to "speed the plough" inquire at the Food Productive Department, Board of Agriculture Office, in Victoria Street, London, and she will be able to gain any special particulars.
THE GIRLS SHE WILL WORK WITH.
ANY girl taking up the work must be willing to go to any part of the country; indeed, this is almost always the case with war-work. The girl worker must not expect to pick and choose any more than the fighting man can. She will be sure to find a nice set of girls among the other land workers she is thrown in with, for only girls with grit in them turn to the land—the others are always on the look out for soft jobs. Moreover, the authorities will only tale on a nice-class girl. She must, of course, give satisfactory references as to character and so forth. Town or country girls are taken on, provided they are suitable. They must be strong, and willing to serve for twelve months. The training is very interesting as during the four to six weeks' course they learn how to do all the necessary repairs to their tractor, as well as drive it.
There is no difficulty in obtaining accommodation in the villages as there is a system by means of which girls are suited. There is a Registrar who can tell them where to go.
[I like the reassurance that only 'nice-class girls' would be allowed to drive tractors. The 'class' of the girls seems completely irrelevant - even if the male tractor drivers they were replacing might have had more mechanical aptitude than most other farm labourers, they were still working class.]
Learn to Drive a Motor Tractor.
War-Work for Girls which Comes Next in Importance to Fighting.
The new motor tractors for ploughing are a great success; so are the girl drivers, too! They look so smart in land uniform, sitting on their seat on the tractor. The girls were asked to come forward for the work so that the plough-men could fight the foes in foreign lands while the girls were preparing the ground for the harvest, and thus helping to fill the storehouses of England with food.
Their work is next in importance to actual fighting.
WORK MUST BE DONE.
THE land girl has to work in winter as well as in summer. She must be prepared to stand heat and cold, rain or sunshine, for Mother Earth must be attended to if the crops are to grow, no matter what the weather is. But the land girl never complains; no matter what mood the clerk of the weather may be in, she goes on driving her motor tractor undisturbed by anything.
PLENTY OF WORK.
OF course, sometimes our girl drivers may be called upon to help with other land work, if for the moment she is not wanted for ploughing.
In these short, dark days, an hour or so may be spent in the farmyard when it is too late for the open. There is always plenty of work for a willing pair of hands to turn to.
LEARNING TO DRIVE.
TO drive a tractor is quite easy—when you know how; but, like most things worth knowing, it has to be learnt. There are no fees to learn, and the course only lasts from four to six weeks. At the end of that time a pupil will be an expert driver, and will know all about motor tractors that is worth knowing.
There is a special training school, hidden away "somewhere in England," where free board and training are given. After the first four weeks, the pupil will receive 4s. a week for the fifth and sixth weeks. Then she will be a fully trained motor tractor driver, able to take an appointment. She will get 25s. a week at first, afterwards she may expect 30s. a week, if she is "all right."
HER "BONUS."
THE ploughing world is very up-to-date, and after a month a bonus is given of 1s. for every acre ploughed, so that it is something to look forward to, if the work ever lacks in excitement! There is no need to say how healthy the life is, for we all know there is nothing like an open-air life for making healthy men and women. This branch of land work is not at all heavy either.
A nice, suitable outfit is provided free. Breeches, two overalls, leggings, hats, and clogs are supplied twice a year. A mackintosh is provided as well, but that is expected to last; so we see the driver has only to keep herself.
At present, board and lodging can be obtained in country places for 15s. a week. Although some things are as expensive as in towns, home-grown produce is, of course, cheap.
The idea many people have that land workers are not required in the winter is quite a mistake. So let the girl who wants to "speed the plough" inquire at the Food Productive Department, Board of Agriculture Office, in Victoria Street, London, and she will be able to gain any special particulars.
THE GIRLS SHE WILL WORK WITH.
ANY girl taking up the work must be willing to go to any part of the country; indeed, this is almost always the case with war-work. The girl worker must not expect to pick and choose any more than the fighting man can. She will be sure to find a nice set of girls among the other land workers she is thrown in with, for only girls with grit in them turn to the land—the others are always on the look out for soft jobs. Moreover, the authorities will only tale on a nice-class girl. She must, of course, give satisfactory references as to character and so forth. Town or country girls are taken on, provided they are suitable. They must be strong, and willing to serve for twelve months. The training is very interesting as during the four to six weeks' course they learn how to do all the necessary repairs to their tractor, as well as drive it.
There is no difficulty in obtaining accommodation in the villages as there is a system by means of which girls are suited. There is a Registrar who can tell them where to go.
[I like the reassurance that only 'nice-class girls' would be allowed to drive tractors. The 'class' of the girls seems completely irrelevant - even if the male tractor drivers they were replacing might have had more mechanical aptitude than most other farm labourers, they were still working class.]
Thursday, 25 January 2018
How To Become A Laboratory Attendant
From Woman’s Weekly, January 26th 1918.
HOW TO BECOME A LABORATORY ATTENDANT.
A New Opening for the Girl Worker of To-day.
MANY girls feel they would like to take up scientific work, but they cannot always spend the time or the money in the training.
The war has opened up a fresh career that means working in a laboratory, and no previous experience is necessary, for women are now engaged as laboratory attendants.
There is so much work to be done in the world of science that the trained workers require untrained ones to help them.
Different kinds of work are all ranked under headings— often with very long names. Where clays, earths, and such like are tested is called an assaying laboratory; or if it is for metal, a metallurgical laboratory. Whatever is the nature of the scientific work, the laboratory attendant must help the workers and be responsible for the care of the laboratory.
She will most probably have a boy to work under her. She will be required to get to the laboratory about 8 a.m., and help to get the room, or rooms, ready for the day's work; have the windows opened, fires lighted, see that the room is swept, or sweep it, and dust it herself.
If she has a lad helping, she must keep a sharp eye on him — see that he touches nothing on the working-benches. A chemist may often have to leave important work on his bench when he leaves off for the night — it cannot always be put away. So that makes a laboratory attendant's position a very responsible one.
HER “ODD JOBS.”
ONCE the rooms are clean and tidy, the “still” must be started, if the distilled water used is “home made.” Then the big bottles containing acids—called “Winchesters” — must be looked over. If any are empty, fresh ones must be brought in from the store cupboard. By this time the staff will arrive, and work begins. If there are several, every one will be sure to want something at once. The attendant will be required to prepare the samples for analysis. If an ore, she will crush it in a mortar and pass it through a sieve whatever size she is told. If a 100 sieve, this job lasts some time. If the sample be a metal, she will have to cut it into small pieces. She may drill it, or, with some, hammer it very fine, and cut it up. If the sample is already in small pieces, she must clean it, if soiled. She may have to wash it in ether. This quite an exciting job, as the ether evaporates off quicker than she can clean the sample.
All kinds of odd jobs will fall to her lot. Stoppers will stick fast in bottles—especially alkalies —so that she frequently has to get her wash-bottle of boiling water and remove them. The girl who is good at removing stoppers will win golden opinions for herself.
Of course, the more she picks up about apparatus or electric batteries, the more use will she be to her chief. To be a useful laboratory attendant a girl must be quick, sharp, take an interest in her work, anxious to learn all she can, and let the staff see she is a willing worker.
Some of the men who have held positions for many years in the same laboratory are quite “characters.” We know of one who always speaks of “my laboratory,” and who keeps a far sharper eye on the general expenses than does the chief himself.
One golden rule of a laboratory is that the work must never be spoken about to anyone outside, as it is often confidential.
Sometimes people will find an excuse to look over a laboratory just to find out something.
HE KNEW TOO MUCH.
A VISITOR one day got permission to look over a large laboratory where rubber was being analysed. He said he knew nothing of science or commerce, and at the end of his visit he asked for a bit of rubber as a keepsake. He opened his penknife, and, licking the blade, cut a bit. Suddenly he found himself turned out with the remark, “None but one experienced with rubber would have known to wet the blade first if you want to cut rubber.”
HOURS AND THE PAY.
THE working hours will be from about 8 a.m. to 6 or 6.30 p.m., With one hour off for dinner; and there is plenty of opportunity to make a cup of tea in the afternoon.
The pay will depend on the size and style of the laboratory. A girl who had never been in a laboratory before would get about 18s. a week to start with, and would eventually get 25s. to 30s. a week.
In a large firm, where two or three were kept, the head one, who would require to be experienced, would receive a higher wage.
HER STYLE OF DRESS.
THE most suitable style of dress is an overall. In some laboratories a cap to match is advisable, if the goods to be experimented upon give rise to much dust, such as ores.
She may have to attend to the store of chemicals, and she will also be responsible for keeping the bottles that are in use filled up. Of course, this has to be most carefully done, as an error on the attendant's part would upset perhaps all the scientific work on hand.
[Woman's Weekly were running a series of articles at this time on good career occupations for women. There's no suggestion here that the lab attendant posts were available because women were replacing men who were now in the armed forces, but it's quite likely.
The suggestion that using ether would be 'quite exciting' amused me, given the effects of breathing in the vapour.]
Tuesday, 16 January 2018
Insurance Work for Women
From Woman’s Weekly, 12th January 1918.
Insurance work—outdoor — is quite a new occupation for girls. Hitherto they have contented themselves with office work, and left the men to reap the outdoor harvest, because comparatively few women take out insurance.
For the future, such a large number of women will have to work, not only to keep themselves, but to at least partially keep their families, that it will become absolutely necessary to insure their lives and provide for their old age.
The woman who pays in a small sum yearly can guarantee a definite sum as an income when she reaches a specified age; it may be quite small, but it will be certain, or she can look forward to obtaining a lump sum.
If a girl becomes an insurance agent, she will always work for one insurance society. She can, if she chooses, include fire insurance, but it will be life insurance that will be the chief work.
As a rule, the payment is by commission, and the start off is difficult; but once a start is made, there is no reason why a girl should not make as much money as a man. The insurance society she works for will give her all the information necessary for the work, papers and so forth.
It is work that can be started while at one's ordinary occupation, and then, when a little success has been gained, a courageous girl would do well to devote her whole time to it.
THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS.
No one under about twenty-four should take up the work, and the one thing that is absolutely necessary is that she should be a good talker.
The suitable girl is one who is rather strong-minded, and, as the Irish say, "has a way with her." The timid, gentle, yielding girl would be useless. Moreover, she must make up her mind that she is going to succeed, and not be disheartened by one or two black days. She must cheer herself up thinking how much money the men-folk make over similar work.
She must dress nicely, but in rather a practical fashion, so as not to appear too much of a butterfly, or other women will not take her advice.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IS USEFUL.
A girl who has been in business will succeed best, and she will know how to get in touch with other girls, as that is the difficult point.
The men do so much insurance work in the city, in office hours and at lunch time; why should not women too? The girl who has worked in an office can speak feelingly to other girls, how by saving a little every year they can eventually look forward to starting some small business of their own later on. If they have not the prospect of a happy marriage to look forward to, then at least they can look forward to independence.
CANVASSING AMONG THE WORKERS.
The women to be canvassed are practically any age; of course, the younger the better, for their own sake. A girl with plenty of friends working with large firms should do well, and if she knows any forewomen, better still.
The work will mean, in many cases, calling at a girl's house, but on becoming an insurance agent one must be prepared for this. It may often mean evening work, as sometimes that will be found the only way of doing business.
No girl absolutely dependent on her earnings should give up her present work until she has worked up a connection; but one who lives at home, and can do without her weekly salary at first, could, of course, do so. But it is almost always best to start while at work, as success will not be likely to come at first, and if the usual work is going on, a girl is less likely to give up her new venture and feel down-hearted over it.
AFTER THE WAR.
When the war is over a very great number of women will be thrown out of work, and it is anticipated the market for clerical workers will be very over-stocked. The girl who has been slowly but surely building up a connection in insurance work in war time will then be quite ready to devote herself whole heartedly to the work.
Once a girl has proved to her insurance society that she is worth it, she could obtain a salary and still get commission; but, of course, the latter would be lower than when on no salary. The usual commission is about 2 per cent. A man who is an insurance agent, and devotes his whole time to the work, never expects to make less than £200 a year, while some make big incomes.
A girl who can work up a connection among women who are earning good salaries will do very well, for these women can take out much larger policies, which mean larger commissions for the agent; so that the work depends on a number of small ones or a less number but with higher figures.
Insurance Work for Women.
It is always nice to be a pioneer, and girls have so many opportunities in these days to be first in the field.
Insurance work—outdoor — is quite a new occupation for girls. Hitherto they have contented themselves with office work, and left the men to reap the outdoor harvest, because comparatively few women take out insurance.
For the future, such a large number of women will have to work, not only to keep themselves, but to at least partially keep their families, that it will become absolutely necessary to insure their lives and provide for their old age.
The woman who pays in a small sum yearly can guarantee a definite sum as an income when she reaches a specified age; it may be quite small, but it will be certain, or she can look forward to obtaining a lump sum.
If a girl becomes an insurance agent, she will always work for one insurance society. She can, if she chooses, include fire insurance, but it will be life insurance that will be the chief work.
As a rule, the payment is by commission, and the start off is difficult; but once a start is made, there is no reason why a girl should not make as much money as a man. The insurance society she works for will give her all the information necessary for the work, papers and so forth.
It is work that can be started while at one's ordinary occupation, and then, when a little success has been gained, a courageous girl would do well to devote her whole time to it.
THE NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS.
No one under about twenty-four should take up the work, and the one thing that is absolutely necessary is that she should be a good talker.
The suitable girl is one who is rather strong-minded, and, as the Irish say, "has a way with her." The timid, gentle, yielding girl would be useless. Moreover, she must make up her mind that she is going to succeed, and not be disheartened by one or two black days. She must cheer herself up thinking how much money the men-folk make over similar work.
She must dress nicely, but in rather a practical fashion, so as not to appear too much of a butterfly, or other women will not take her advice.
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IS USEFUL.
A girl who has been in business will succeed best, and she will know how to get in touch with other girls, as that is the difficult point.
The men do so much insurance work in the city, in office hours and at lunch time; why should not women too? The girl who has worked in an office can speak feelingly to other girls, how by saving a little every year they can eventually look forward to starting some small business of their own later on. If they have not the prospect of a happy marriage to look forward to, then at least they can look forward to independence.
CANVASSING AMONG THE WORKERS.
The women to be canvassed are practically any age; of course, the younger the better, for their own sake. A girl with plenty of friends working with large firms should do well, and if she knows any forewomen, better still.
The work will mean, in many cases, calling at a girl's house, but on becoming an insurance agent one must be prepared for this. It may often mean evening work, as sometimes that will be found the only way of doing business.
No girl absolutely dependent on her earnings should give up her present work until she has worked up a connection; but one who lives at home, and can do without her weekly salary at first, could, of course, do so. But it is almost always best to start while at work, as success will not be likely to come at first, and if the usual work is going on, a girl is less likely to give up her new venture and feel down-hearted over it.
AFTER THE WAR.
When the war is over a very great number of women will be thrown out of work, and it is anticipated the market for clerical workers will be very over-stocked. The girl who has been slowly but surely building up a connection in insurance work in war time will then be quite ready to devote herself whole heartedly to the work.
Once a girl has proved to her insurance society that she is worth it, she could obtain a salary and still get commission; but, of course, the latter would be lower than when on no salary. The usual commission is about 2 per cent. A man who is an insurance agent, and devotes his whole time to the work, never expects to make less than £200 a year, while some make big incomes.
A girl who can work up a connection among women who are earning good salaries will do very well, for these women can take out much larger policies, which mean larger commissions for the agent; so that the work depends on a number of small ones or a less number but with higher figures.
Sunday, 14 January 2018
A Day in the Life of a Shell Girl
From Woman’s Weekly, 12th January 1918.
A DAY IN MY LIFE.
BY THE SHELL GIRL, WHO HELPS THE "MAN BEHIND THE GUN."
 |
| A munitions worker |
LIKE most English girls, when the call came for women to help in the Great War, my ambition was to make shells, and I joined the great army of munition workers.
The work is hard— very hard—but the pay is good, and, what is more, the munition girl is always happy in the knowledge that she is "doing her bit" to help the boys "out there."
My work was boring and screwing 6-inch shells, operations which require much attention and care, for the cap must fit exactly to be of any use. When I joined I was put to watch a machine for a fortnight (during this time I 'was not paid), and after that I was allowed a machine of my own.
The heaviest part of the work is lifting the shells by means of a chain hoist. They weigh 186 lb. each—a tough task for a girl, but I was spared this, for the machine behind me was run by a man named Joe. and always when I attempted to get a shell he would say, "Eh, mate! Let me do that!"
Joe was quite a character in our room. He was a discharged soldier, but would never talk of his experiences "out there."
"You get on with them there shells," he would say. "Time enough to talk when the war's over."
Joe kept his eye on us during the night shift, and whenever he noticed a head nodding over a machine he was quickly on the scene with a can of tea, which he kept incessantly stewing over the hydraulics. In the day time he always came well provided with apples and sweets, and in his unostentatious way he would hand them to the girls at lunch time, hurrying away before we could thank him.
The hours at our works were from seven at night until eight o'clock the next morning for two weeks; and six at night till seven o'clock in the morning for the next two weeks. During a shift most of us were able to make from sixteen to eighteen shells, and this, at piecework rates, brought our wages from two pounds fifteen shillings to three pounds per week.
There were nice recreation rooms in which we could rest during dinner hour, and for a quarter of an hour at tea time. There are attendants these rooms who, for the charge of a penny, will heat up any food you may bring.
MY "MATES."
My "mates," as they called themselves, were a strong, free-and-easy lot, very intolerant of my finicky ways, and some of them looked with scorn at the clean serviette I brought each day, and my cup and saucer in place of a can for my tea; but they were a very kind lot of girls, as the following story will show:
There was one little woman whom the girls, for some reason or another, did not like. She was not interested in their stories of the fine clothes they were buying, and the surprises they had "up their sleeve" for "George" when he came home. All through the long shift the little woman would stand silent, her eyes glued to her machine; and during the dinner hour she never entered the recreation-room. I learnt afterwards it was because she only had a crust of dry bread to eat, and didn't want anyone to pity her poverty. One day she completely broke down, and I saw the girl at the next machine, after a little hesitation, turn to her.
At lunch time that day this girl called her mates and told them the story. The little woman's husband had deserted her. She had six children, and the eldest, a boy of eighteen, had just joined up. She was trying to keep things going, but her strength would not allow her to make more than ten shells a day, and the order was that twelve must be the minimum per shift. Unless she could do better she was to go.
Without any more ado, and, of course, against regulations, a group of girls banded themselves together and pledged themselves to put at least six shells to the little woman's total.
And they did; and, what is more, would not listen to the little woman's thanks. "Garn,'' said one girl. 'it doesn't matter who makes 'em, long as Kaiser Bill gets it in the neck!"
The munition girl keeps herself and her friends alive with her high spirits and her unbounded energy. She means her man to win the war.
WOMEN MUNITION WORKERS.
Women desirous of doing War-Work are now being offered every facility for training in the Engineering branch of Munition Work. No charge is made for the training, and a Subsistence Allowance at the rate of 25s. per week is paid to students from the date of enrolment. Overalls and caps are also provided free.
Women are urgently wanted, and all particulars of training. wages, hours, etc., may be had on application to: The Education Officer, L.C.C. Education Offices, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.2.
Friday, 5 January 2018
Commercial Warfare
From Woman’s Weekly, 5th January 1918.
Glad as we shall be when the war is ended, the business girl must face the fact that the clerical workers will be very numerous, and the best equipped will get the jobs that are going.
The war has brought about great changes in the commercial world, and when it is over our commerce will be in many ways quite different. We trust never again to have our markets flooded with German goods, and we expect to trade largely with the Spanish-speaking countries of South America. In most foreign countries correspondence in English and French can be carried on.
In Europe nearly all large firms have clerks who can speak these languages, but in South America it is different. The good folk there are quite content with their own mother tongue, and if those they correspond with do not understand, then they just feel very sorry for them, that's all.
Now we, as a nation, want to make our commercial world the greatest there is and if we set out to trade with an unknown tongue, we at once set out to learn that tongue. That is the reason so many far-sighted people are learning Spanish.
Outside the scholastic world, people do not realise how Spanish is taking a prominent place in the daily work. Masters and mistresses themselves are learning it, and boys—or perhaps we should say the boys' parents—are often advised to take it as one of their subjects.
Lord Cowdray has recently presented a large sum of money to a provincial university to enable Spanish to be one of its special subjects, as he considers it is of such importance to the future prosperity of the nation.
Now is it not a happy thought that one can fit oneself to earn more money and at the same time be doing really quite patriotic work ? We hear about the coming trade war when the war is over. Well, the girl who learns Spanish will be fitting herself to fight in that.
Spanish is quite an easy language to learn. The girl who knows French will find that a great help, and the pronunciation need not trouble her. The great point is to be able to read it and to write it well. A good plan is to get a "Spanish Self-taught."--there are plenty of such little books — and a Spanish grammar, also a dictionary. By these simple aids one can get a good insight into the language.
It is no good to go to a school that says you can be proficient in one month. That may be all very well if you want to speak only, but speaking Spanish is of little value to a girl clerk. You want to write a letter in Spanish grammatically. This point must be impressed upon any school entered. A good idea is to get a girl friend to start Spanish at the same time. Two working together help each other. But be sure to choose a girl who has grit in her, and will stick to it.
English girls must realise that for many years to come the effect of this terrible war will be felt by all classes. The girl who now looks forward to the future and fits herself for it is very wise. She will not only learn to read and to in Spanish— what is called commercial Spanish—but she will practise typing letters in Spanish too. She will, in fact, fit herself in every way to take a post as clerk in an office with a large correspondence in Spanish. Of course, it may be that she will have a letter in English dictated to her which she must translate into Spanish; or, it may be, some of the heads of the firm will be able to speak Spanish, and dictate a letter in it to her.
The understanding of Spanish spoken is consequently important, but to speak it oneself will not matter. We make a point of this, because so many girls may say: "Oh, I could never speak Spanish! My French was so bad at school the girls always laughed at me." Speaking a foreign language is not a strong point with the English, but it need not worry the ambitious girl clerk. Go in and win; that is the best advice. It may mean some hard work, it may mean a few less "picture evenings"; but war-time is work-time, and nothing a girl can do can come up to what the "boys" are doing, for penetrating through their hard work is the awful risk of their lives.
The girls are only asked to fit themselves to take their share in the fight in the commercial warfare so that we may as a nation be in every way worthy of the great sacrifice so many have made.
[It's interesting that Woman's Weekly was already foreseeing severe competition for jobs, post-war, at a time when it must have been far from obvious that Germany could be defeated, though the predictions of the value of learning Spanish seem a bit off the mark.
Lord Cowdray was Weetman Pearson, created a Viscount in 1917. The Pearson company was involved in construction, and had business interests in Mexico – they had built a railway for the Mexican government, and had developed successful oil wells there, which were bought out by Royal Dutch Shell later in 1918. He had endowed a Chair in Spanish at the University of Leeds. (Information taken from Wikipedia.)]
The Coming Fight!
A Straight Talk to the Girl Clerk About the Coming Commercial Warfare
The war has brought about great changes in the commercial world, and when it is over our commerce will be in many ways quite different. We trust never again to have our markets flooded with German goods, and we expect to trade largely with the Spanish-speaking countries of South America. In most foreign countries correspondence in English and French can be carried on.
In Europe nearly all large firms have clerks who can speak these languages, but in South America it is different. The good folk there are quite content with their own mother tongue, and if those they correspond with do not understand, then they just feel very sorry for them, that's all.
Now we, as a nation, want to make our commercial world the greatest there is and if we set out to trade with an unknown tongue, we at once set out to learn that tongue. That is the reason so many far-sighted people are learning Spanish.
Outside the scholastic world, people do not realise how Spanish is taking a prominent place in the daily work. Masters and mistresses themselves are learning it, and boys—or perhaps we should say the boys' parents—are often advised to take it as one of their subjects.
Lord Cowdray has recently presented a large sum of money to a provincial university to enable Spanish to be one of its special subjects, as he considers it is of such importance to the future prosperity of the nation.
Now is it not a happy thought that one can fit oneself to earn more money and at the same time be doing really quite patriotic work ? We hear about the coming trade war when the war is over. Well, the girl who learns Spanish will be fitting herself to fight in that.
Spanish is quite an easy language to learn. The girl who knows French will find that a great help, and the pronunciation need not trouble her. The great point is to be able to read it and to write it well. A good plan is to get a "Spanish Self-taught."--there are plenty of such little books — and a Spanish grammar, also a dictionary. By these simple aids one can get a good insight into the language.
It is no good to go to a school that says you can be proficient in one month. That may be all very well if you want to speak only, but speaking Spanish is of little value to a girl clerk. You want to write a letter in Spanish grammatically. This point must be impressed upon any school entered. A good idea is to get a girl friend to start Spanish at the same time. Two working together help each other. But be sure to choose a girl who has grit in her, and will stick to it.
English girls must realise that for many years to come the effect of this terrible war will be felt by all classes. The girl who now looks forward to the future and fits herself for it is very wise. She will not only learn to read and to in Spanish— what is called commercial Spanish—but she will practise typing letters in Spanish too. She will, in fact, fit herself in every way to take a post as clerk in an office with a large correspondence in Spanish. Of course, it may be that she will have a letter in English dictated to her which she must translate into Spanish; or, it may be, some of the heads of the firm will be able to speak Spanish, and dictate a letter in it to her.
The understanding of Spanish spoken is consequently important, but to speak it oneself will not matter. We make a point of this, because so many girls may say: "Oh, I could never speak Spanish! My French was so bad at school the girls always laughed at me." Speaking a foreign language is not a strong point with the English, but it need not worry the ambitious girl clerk. Go in and win; that is the best advice. It may mean some hard work, it may mean a few less "picture evenings"; but war-time is work-time, and nothing a girl can do can come up to what the "boys" are doing, for penetrating through their hard work is the awful risk of their lives.
The girls are only asked to fit themselves to take their share in the fight in the commercial warfare so that we may as a nation be in every way worthy of the great sacrifice so many have made.
[It's interesting that Woman's Weekly was already foreseeing severe competition for jobs, post-war, at a time when it must have been far from obvious that Germany could be defeated, though the predictions of the value of learning Spanish seem a bit off the mark.
Lord Cowdray was Weetman Pearson, created a Viscount in 1917. The Pearson company was involved in construction, and had business interests in Mexico – they had built a railway for the Mexican government, and had developed successful oil wells there, which were bought out by Royal Dutch Shell later in 1918. He had endowed a Chair in Spanish at the University of Leeds. (Information taken from Wikipedia.)]
Thursday, 30 November 2017
Ladies’ Football Match in Leeds
From the Leeds Mercury, 1st December 1917.
The ladies are making such rapid progress as footballers that the meeting of the two leading teams in the Leeds district at the Hunslet football ground, Parkside, to-day, promises a contest well worth seeing. The teams are from the Armley and Newlay factories, and the game is the first semi-final in the "Needham" Cup Competition. The other semi-final will be played at Otley on the 15th inst., and the final in Leeds on Christmas Day morning. The proceeds are to be devoted to the Leeds Parks Bowling Association's fund for providing an ambulance. for the Leeds Women and Children's Hospital.
LADIES’ FOOTBALL MATCH
Tuesday, 21 November 2017
The Women's Army
From The Scotsman, 20th November 1917.
A recruiting campaign to swell the ranks of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was opened in the West of Scotland yesterday with a meeting in the Banqueting Hall of the Glasgow City Chambers. Every foot of space in the hall was occupied, and many people were unable to gain admission. Amongst the speakers were the Duchess of Atholl and Lord Scott Dickson.
Lord Provost Stewart, who presided, said they wanted 10,000 capable women immediately, and after that a second and a third ten thousand, and so on for a few months to come, in order that men might be released for the fighting line.
Miss Craigie, the Recruiting Controller for Scotland, outlined the scheme of the W.A.A.C, and the spheres within which the Corps operates, and the rates of pay and conditions of service in the various sections, mechanical, domestic, clerical, or unskilled, as the case may be. In Scotland alone, they wished 250 volunteers per week, and for Great Britain the Government required 10,000 women per month.
The Duchess of Atholl, in urging-the claims of the Corps, contrasted the opposition which Florence Nightingale had encountered before she was permitted to take her handful of heroic helpers to the suffering troops in the Crimea, and the condition now, when they had a Women's Corps raised by the War Office and financed by the State. This situation had brought to women a tremendous privilege and an equally tremendous responsibility—a situation absolutely unprecedented in our country's history, and unprecedented, she thought, in the history of women, and one which required that each one should put to herself very searching questions as to the value of the work she was at present doing, and the effect of her needs and desires upon the labour forces of the country. She wished it could be possible, her Grace said, that in the years to come they could look back upon the years of the Great War and say :—"We women gave up our fashions; we recognised that the country's need for labour was so overwhelming that our lesser needs went by the board, and we threw off the tyranny of fashion while the war lasted." (Applause.) That was not yet quite the case. The shops continued to display a bewildering and tempting variety of things day by day; and she heard that the jewellers' trade had never been so brisk as now. They should reduce their needs so as to conserve all possible labour for the country's wants; they did want it to be any longer true—as had been trenchantly said—that "ladies' new hats are the grave of a nation's energy." With due allowance for personal and business ties, women were being asked to give themselves to the service of the country, and her Grace was sure that if the need were realised the response would add enormously to the splendid record of the women of Glasgow. (Applause.)
Lord Scott Dickson said the women were being asked to come forward, as each woman meant the release of a man for the lighting line. He was sure that when they were convinced, as they must be convinced, that they required men and still more men—that the need was so acute to free men for the fighting line—the appeal would not be addressed in vain to the women of Glasgow, but that they would respond as readily as the men-folk who were facing the enemy in the battle-line. (Applause.)
THE WOMEN'S ARMY.
CAMPAIGN INAUGURATED BY DUCHESS OF ATHOLL.
A recruiting campaign to swell the ranks of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was opened in the West of Scotland yesterday with a meeting in the Banqueting Hall of the Glasgow City Chambers. Every foot of space in the hall was occupied, and many people were unable to gain admission. Amongst the speakers were the Duchess of Atholl and Lord Scott Dickson.
Lord Provost Stewart, who presided, said they wanted 10,000 capable women immediately, and after that a second and a third ten thousand, and so on for a few months to come, in order that men might be released for the fighting line.
Miss Craigie, the Recruiting Controller for Scotland, outlined the scheme of the W.A.A.C, and the spheres within which the Corps operates, and the rates of pay and conditions of service in the various sections, mechanical, domestic, clerical, or unskilled, as the case may be. In Scotland alone, they wished 250 volunteers per week, and for Great Britain the Government required 10,000 women per month.
The Duchess of Atholl, in urging-the claims of the Corps, contrasted the opposition which Florence Nightingale had encountered before she was permitted to take her handful of heroic helpers to the suffering troops in the Crimea, and the condition now, when they had a Women's Corps raised by the War Office and financed by the State. This situation had brought to women a tremendous privilege and an equally tremendous responsibility—a situation absolutely unprecedented in our country's history, and unprecedented, she thought, in the history of women, and one which required that each one should put to herself very searching questions as to the value of the work she was at present doing, and the effect of her needs and desires upon the labour forces of the country. She wished it could be possible, her Grace said, that in the years to come they could look back upon the years of the Great War and say :—"We women gave up our fashions; we recognised that the country's need for labour was so overwhelming that our lesser needs went by the board, and we threw off the tyranny of fashion while the war lasted." (Applause.) That was not yet quite the case. The shops continued to display a bewildering and tempting variety of things day by day; and she heard that the jewellers' trade had never been so brisk as now. They should reduce their needs so as to conserve all possible labour for the country's wants; they did want it to be any longer true—as had been trenchantly said—that "ladies' new hats are the grave of a nation's energy." With due allowance for personal and business ties, women were being asked to give themselves to the service of the country, and her Grace was sure that if the need were realised the response would add enormously to the splendid record of the women of Glasgow. (Applause.)
Lord Scott Dickson said the women were being asked to come forward, as each woman meant the release of a man for the lighting line. He was sure that when they were convinced, as they must be convinced, that they required men and still more men—that the need was so acute to free men for the fighting line—the appeal would not be addressed in vain to the women of Glasgow, but that they would respond as readily as the men-folk who were facing the enemy in the battle-line. (Applause.)
Friday, 10 November 2017
Ladies’ Football
From the Lancashire Evening Post, 10th November 1917.
I am old enough in the game to remember the touring teams that were run by a few enterprising people somewhere about the mid nineties, a venture which fizzled out owing to the split which occurred in it and the action of the F.A. in prohibiting the use of grounds for the commercial exploitation of women players. Ladies' football was a novelty then, as it is now, and as a novelty there were plenty of people ready to patronise it for an odd time. The time has not yet arrived when women can enter into masculine sports and gave spectacular interest to them except that which arises from their sex, and one has only to go back to the ladies' cricket campaign that was on exhibition about the time when the football ladies were going about to realise the limitations of their sex in field games. There were one or two fair bats and bowlers, especially in the "Reds" team, I remember, but they would have cut a poor figure against any average club side, and physically, of course, women were not able to compete with men on level terms in these things. But if they themselves can find enjoyment in their own games, and incidentally tickle the public fancy for the moment in the interests of a deserving object I do not see why they should not be encouraged. Of one thing we may be certain—any attempt to establish ladies' football as a regular and recognised pursuit would very quickly fail, and there is no reason, apart from the sentimental dislike that many people have to see girls and women taking part in masculine pastimes, why the tendency of the moment should be frowned down. The vagaries of the weather, the knocks and falls incidental to strenuous football, and the physical disabilities of the participants are quite sufficient barriers to any degree of seriousness being attached to the craze.
[We have come a long way in 100 years. Though not far enough.]
NOT A SERIOUS MOVEMENT.
[We have come a long way in 100 years. Though not far enough.]
Monday, 17 April 2017
War-Time Work For Women.
From Woman’s Weekly, April 17th, 1917.
WAR-TIME WORK FOR WOMEN.
If you are Unable to
do National Service Work on the Land, there is Plenty of other Urgent Work
waiting to be Done.
WOMEN are urgently wanted to-day. There must be no "slackers."
Every healthy, capable woman must come
forward to help the country at this time, either by making munitions, working
on the land, or helping to keep up our industries.
Needless to say, the girl who has had a certain amount of
experience or training stands the best chance of obtaining employment. That is
why I would advise every girl who is thinking of working for the first time, or
of obtaining a better position to ask herself whether there is any training
open to her that would help her in the work she wishes to take up. Fortunately,
at the technical institutes and evening classes it is possible to obtain, if
not entirely free, training, at any rate, at a very low cost.
Thus the girl who wants to take up work where she is likely
to have the handling of money or dealing with figures will undoubtedly find it
an advantage when applying for a situation to be able to claim having taken an
elementary course in bookkeeping or commercial arithmetic.
Below I am giving a list of some of the occupations in which
there is the greatest demand for workers at the present time. Applications for
work should in all cases be made at the local Labour Exchange. There are,
however, other agencies through which employment can also be obtained, and
where this is the case these addresses are given in addition.
Army Cooks.
--Applicants must he between the ages of 18 and 45. All candidates who are
accepted are sent to a training centre at Dartford for a month. The pay is £20
a year in addition to board and lodging. Head cooks receive £40. Army Waitresses.—These are needed to
wait upon the cadets and officers. Conditions similar to those for Army cooks.
Apply to Mrs. Long, Women's Legion, Centre Block, Room 4, Duke of York's
Headquarters, Chelsea, S.W.3.
Bakers.—These are
wanted in increasing numbers both for day and night work. Applicants should be
from about 18 to 25. The work, though rather heavy, is interesting.
Advertisements frequently appear in the daily newspapers for such workers.
There are two methods of training. One is to go to a baker's for a low wage,
and "pick up" the work. The other, and more satisfactory method, is to
obtain training at a polytechnic. Londoners can apply at The Borough Polytechnic
Institute, Borough Road, S.E. Others can obtain the address of the nearest
technical school from a post office.
Creche and Day Nursery
Work.—Girls between the ages of 16 and 24 are needed to train for this
work. Training is, in some cases, given free; in others a small fee has to be
paid. The work is strenuous and not highly paid; but the girl with a real love
of babies will find her vocation here. At the end of her training, a girl can either
continue her work in the creche as a paid assistant, or obtain a position as
lady nurse in a gentleman's family. Applications should be made to the
Secretary, National Society of Day Nurseries, 4, Sydney Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.
Grocers’ Assistants.
—There are plenty of openings here for quick, capable girls in all parts of the
country. Applications can be made to the head offices of any of the large
provision merchants. You will find their names and addresses in a commercial
directory, which you can consult at any post office.
PLENTY OF CHOICE.
Optical Munitions.
—This is skilled work, requiring training. Accepted candidates are, however,
paid whilst they are learning. Applicants, who must be over 16, should apply to
the Training Centre at the Northampton Polytechnic Institute, St. John's
Street, E.C.
Motor and Taxi Driving.
-- Training, the fee for which is usually a few guineas, can be had at any of
the motor schools. Taxi drivers must, in addition, undergo a final training in
order to pass the special tests imposed by Scotland Yard. The preliminary
licences for this final training have to be obtained from Scotland Yard.
Mail-Cart Drivers and Grooms.—This
work should specially appeal to country women, as only those who are used to horses
and know how to drive are wanted. Their work will be to drive the Royal Mail vans
or to groom the horses. The pay is 30s. a week. Applications may be made to Miss
Mckenzie, care of Messrs. McNamara and Co., 12, Castle Street, London, E.C.
Dental Mechanics. —Dentists
are employing women in increasing numbers for the making of artificial teeth.
The training is rather long, but workers are usually paid during this time.
Advertisements for girls to train for this work can usually be seen in the
dental papers. Applications can also be made by letter to any large
manufacturing dentist. You will find a list of them in the Trades portion of a
commercial directory, under the heading "Dentists' Material Makers."
Omnibus and Tramcar
Conductors. —Applicants must be very strong and fairly tall. The work is
strenuous, but the pay good, very often as much as two pounds a week.
Applications can be made to the head offices of any of the omnibus and tramcar
companies or councils.
Postwomen. —This
work is heavy and entails early rising, but the workers have a good deal of
free time in the middle of the day. Applications for local work to be made at
the local Exchange, but for work under the G.P.O., at the City Labour Exchange,
9, New Bridge Street, London, E.C.
NO ROOM FOR
"SLACKERS."
Railway Booking Clerks
and Ticket Collectors. —Clerks must be ready reckoners, and all applicants
must be of quick intelligence. Applications should be made to the head offices
at the London termini stations of any of the large railway companies. Or those
applicants living on the S.E. and Chatham Line can apply to Miss Strevitt, S.E.
& C. Railway Training School, East Croydon.
Typewriter Mechanics.—Women
can now train for the work of cleaning and repairing typewriters. The complete
training takes three years, but within a few months girls can do quite useful
work that up till quite recently has always been done by men. The workers are
paid whilst they are learning, while the fully trained mechanic may expect anything
from £2 to £5 a week. Applications can be made to the Remington Typewriter Co.,
100, Gracechurch Street, London, E.C.
Warehouse Packers.
—These are required by certain big firms for packing goods, such as jams and
marmalade, etc., for the Army. Applications can be made to the big jam-makers
and other large stores.
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Bioscope Operating for Girls
From Woman’s Weekly, March 1917.
BIOSCOPE OPERATING FOR GIRLS.
ANOTHER NEW OCCUPATION.
Then one day I met a friend, who insisted on my going to the pictures with her that evening. Well, I went, and while there I discovered the bioscope was operated by a girl. To tell the truth, I was more excited over that than over the pictures. "Just the work I should like!" I thought to myself. But how to find out all about it, that was the point.
Then I suddenly hit upon a plan, and wrote a nice little note, then and there, to the "lady operator," and asked her to tell me.
She sent me back a note by the same messenger:
"The work is ripping. Go to a school and learn. They will find you work." Then followed an address.
When the show was over I said good-bye to my friend, and hurried off to the school.
Well, I discovered I could become a trained bioscope operator for the small sum of £2 2s., and that it only took a fortnight to learn. What more could any girl want? If you are already in work, you can make arrangements to go for one afternoon a week, or of an evening—in fact, the schools will meet you in any way that best suits your convenience.
It is best, when possible, to give a clear fortnight to the work, as then you live in a bioscope world, and learn quicker than in an odd half-day weekly; but if that is all a girl can spare, it need not prevent her learning. The work is very interesting, and quite simple.
NO BOOKS TO STUDY.
THE first question I asked was, "Shall I have to study?"For reply the secretary took me to a large room, where a couple of bioscopes stood.
"These," he said, "are your lesson books. When you know all they can teach you, I can recommend you as a proficient bioscope operator."
He seemed to touch a button, and I looked up to see "the pictures" had started.
"Very difficult, is it not?" he said with a laugh, as he manipulated a few mysterious pegs, and the pictures vanished.
"But suppose something went wrong, and the machine would not work?" I exclaimed."
"Then you would use the other one. There are always two, in case of accidents; but these rarely occur, as the machines are kept in perfect order."
"And is there any fear of me getting blown up, or anything of that sort?" I asked.
"None whatever. You can set your mind perfectly at rest on that point," was the reply.
The next thing was to make sure of my future work and pay. That I found would be quite satisfactory. A trained operator would start on about £1 a week, and go on to £2. That, on the small expenditure of £2 2s. and a fortnight's time spent at learning, and, chief joy of all, no dreariness of office routine, but such a nice, bright life—just what I should like! And no early rising either!
THE HOURS YOU WORK.
The hours vary in different theatres, but, as a rule, they are from about two o'clock to eleven. Of course, you are not on all the time: you get plenty of off time for meals. You see, there must be more than one operator to each show, which is rather nice. As everyone knows, the cinemas are of all sorts and kinds, so naturally the appointments vary too.It is nice to know that the very best posts are now given to women. The official war films are shown by one.
I made careful inquiries to find if this occupation would still be manned by women. I found they have given every satisfaction, and as it is such light work, it is sure to be looked upon as one especially suited to them.
The bioscope is worked by electricity, so I soon found myself learning all about the various switches that had to be turned on and off. Then I learnt quite a lot about the instrument itself, and in a fortnight I was able to work it properly.
AN EARLY APPOINTMENT.
I had no trouble to look for work, as the cinemas, when they want fresh hands, apply to the various schools, who then send them their pupils. As soon as I was ready I obtained a very nice appointment at a first-class cinema. Of course, I went as junior assistant. I preferred that to a more important post at a third-rate show, because I want to get on.My promotion came quickly. I gave satisfaction to my chief, and within twelve months of entering my profession I am chief operator at £2 a week, with two assistants under me.
[A bioscope was evidently the current term for a film projector.]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)