Butler, Dorothy (Oral history)

British civilian munitions inspector at Williamson's factory in Lancaster, 1941-1946

REEL 1 Aspects of family and educational background. Aspects of work in grocers shop, pre-1939. Recollections of life and work: memories of outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; impact of war on grocers shop; how conscription was deferred; conscription; posting to Williamson's munitions factory as CIA inspector,1941; first impressions of factory; duties inspecting shells; injuries on hands from shell splinters; duties inspecting shells; working conditions; injuring finger; attitude towards superior; other staff in inspection section; attitude of munitions workers towards inspectors; pay; working hours. REEL 2 Continues: dangers of work and accidents; first aid provisions; treatment for shell splinters in hands; relations with supervisors; regulations; bad language among colleagues; attitude towards work; question of promiscuity; lack of union; social life; marriage, 11/1940; husband's service abroad; food rations; American and Canadian service personnel stationed in area; lack of air raids; blackout; carrying gas mask; petrol rations. REEL 3 Continues: black market; end of war; demobilisation; returning to job at grocers shop, 1946; pay; housing.