West, Gabrielle Mary (Oral history)

British policewoman served with Women’s Police Service at National Explosives Factory Queensferry, National Explosives Factory Pembrey, No 3 National Filling Factory Rotherwas and Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, GB, 12/1916-11/1918

REEL 1 Recollections of period as policewoman with Women’s Police Service at National Explosives Factory Queensferry, National Explosives Factory Pembrey, No 3 National Filling Factory Rotherwas and Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey in GB, 12/1916-11/1918: reasons for enlistment in Women’s Police Service in London, 1916; problems with poisonous fumes at National Explosives Factory Pembrey; reasons for strikes and sackings at National Explosives Factory Pembrey; conflicts between English and Irish munitions workers at No 3 National Filling Factory Rotherwas; public attitude towards policewomen; amusing story of charwoman in Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey; accommodation; question of being sworn in; post-war employment; prior recollection of Lady Londonderry whilst working for Red Cross; discussion by interviewer about Mary Allen; memories of Commandant Margaret Damer Dawson; patrolling at Small Arms Factory at Enfield; question of patrolling in London. REEL 2 Continues: story of taking pet dog to work.