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Women
Women on the Railways
Women on the Railways
by Denis Perriam
There had been women workers on the railways before World War One, the West Cumberland Times, reporting in January 1928 on a Cumbrian example. The newspaper stated that Miss McGill was the only woman station mistress in England and had held the post since 1907 at Braystones where her mother had previously had the job.
So many railwaymen left for the Front in the first weeks of World War One that the transport of troops and war supplies was a major headache. In her recent published book, Railwaywomen, Helena Wojtczak shows the employment of women in place of men was not welcomed.
Chairman of the Railway Executive, Herbert Walker, said: "The companies had little or no experience as to the suitability of women for the work and it was questionable whether their strength and endurance would not be too severely tested."
Unions worried that women would be seen as a cheap option and "passed many resolutions demanding restrictions on women's labour and guarantees from the companies that any women employed would be temporary."
The Carlisle Journal reported in 1915: "As a result of negotiations between the railway managers and representatives of the NUR, the former had agreed that women employed on the railways in the emergency will be paid the same rate of wages as men in the respective grades concerned."
For years afterwards, Annie Mary Johnston boasted that she was the first woman to be employed on the Maryport and Carlisle Railway, starting as a booking office clerk at Aspatria Station in August 1915 at six shillings a week, aged 17. She did so well that in February 1917 she was appointed travelling ticket inspector at 22 shillings and sixpence a week. Herbert and Mary Jackson, in their History of the Maryport and Carlisle Railway, said that Miss Johnston was sent to Redmayne's of Wigton to be measured "for a belted Norfolk jacket with patch pockets, the letters MCR in silver braid on the lapels" and a long skirt to complete the outfit. "Railway passengers were surprised to see a charming young lady wearing uniform," said the Jacksons, "and she attracted a great deal of attention, many people lowering carriage windows to look at her as she walked the length of the station platform."
The Journal noticed the changes locally in August 1915: "The lady clerk is already becoming a familiar feature at our railway stations……..no fault is to be found in any way with the services given." The nattiness and brightness of their uniform went a long way "to relieve the drabness and the sombreness of the average railway office." Workmen had also been affected. The Journal said: "This is beginning to have an undoubted influence on many of the mere males who have ladies as office companions and there is said to be a distinct improvement both in the dress and manners of the male clerks."
In January 1916, the Journal reviewed the situation at the Citadel Station: "For about a month past there have been four female booking clerks on the staff and on Monday two clerks began work in the parcels office and two others in the cloakroom."
As more men enlisted, the female staff was increased to do heavier work and it was necessary to have two women porters "on platforms to assist in the movement of milk cans - strong women aged 35 - 40."
Not all who were employed were to be trusted and in July 1918 the Journal reported: "Five women porters at the Citadel Station have been arrested and will be brought before the magistrates." Pilfering goods in transit had been going on for some time and a watch was kept by detectives. Chocolate, tobacco and clothing, known to have been stolen, were found when the workers' houses were searched. As the girls pleaded guilty and some were married to soldiers, their cases were treated leniently with fines rather than prison sentences.
A child died after visiting a crèche in March 1918 and, while an inquest showed that no blame was attached to the staff, it shows us that such facilities were provided while mothers were at work. In this instance, the mother was a cleaner at the Durranhill Engine Shed.
There was little indication of the number of women involved in war work but a rare insight was given in the Journal in April 1919. It was reported "the female workers of the Midland Railway Locomotive Department at Carlisle held a farewell party in the Mission Hall, Harraby, to celebrate the end of their railway service." The newspaper said: "Altogether a party of 50 sat down to tea and this was followed by dancing and games, and songs by various members of the party."
Like their war service, the Journal said: "a most enjoyable evening passed all too quickly."
