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War Workers Rights Managed Collection

78 Rights Managed

We are proud to offer this selection in partnership with STEAM Museum of the GWR

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2, 1942

A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2, 1942
A man and woman carrying out work on a steam hammer during WW2 in the GWR Swindon Works, 1942

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Stationmaster, June 1941

Female Stationmaster, June 1941
This image features a young lady called Freda Jones. During the Second World War she was made a GWR Stationmaster at Pontdolgoch, a station in mid Wales on the Welshpool to Aberystwyth line

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works War Work, 22nd January 1942

Swindon Works War Work, 22nd January 1942
Female worker machining a 25 PDR shell on 22 January 1942. Munitions work issued by Ministry of Supply

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Evacuees at Paddington Station in 1939

Evacuees at Paddington Station in 1939
This moving image of evacuees making their way along platform 4 at Paddington Station was also taken during the 4 day evacuation of London and other major cities in September 1939

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWR station staff member in a gas mask, c. 1939

GWR station staff member in a gas mask, c. 1939
During an air raid the threat of poison gas bombs being dropped by the German Luftwaffe was extremely high. Mustard gas was the most deadly gas available and could take up to 12 hours to take effect

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Bomb damage to Bowden Hall locomotive at Keyham Station, 1941

Bomb damage to Bowden Hall locomotive at Keyham Station, 1941
This image was taken on 30th April 1941, the morning after an air raid at Keyham Station, Plymouth

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Australian Navy on locomotive No. 6021 King Richard II, 1945

Australian Navy on locomotive No. 6021 King Richard II, 1945
A group of visitors from the Australian Navy pose for this photograph on top of locomotive No.6021 King Richard II

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Australian Navy visiting A Erecting Shop at Swindon Works, 1945

Australian Navy visiting A Erecting Shop at Swindon Works, 1945
An image of the visit from the Australian Navy inside A Erecting Shop at Swindon Works, examining locomotive No. 3827

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: World War 2 booklet It Can Now Be Revealed, published 1945

World War 2 booklet It Can Now Be Revealed, published 1945
Throughout the war the British Railways Press Office issued a series of booklets that outlined the official story of the railways at war

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women workers in the Permanent Way Dept at Reading, 1943

Women workers in the Permanent Way Dept at Reading, 1943
Three ladies from the Permanent Way Department are pictured here at Reading in April 1943 off-loading wooden blocks from a wagon

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Workers riveting a locomotive boiler in V Boiler Shop c. 1942

Workers riveting a locomotive boiler in V Boiler Shop c. 1942
In this image taken at Swindon Works sometime during the latter half of the war, three women are shown working on the riveting of a locomotive boiler in V Boiler Shop

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female employees at Swindon Works making lamps, c. 1940

Female employees at Swindon Works making lamps, c. 1940
A larger group of female employees have been photographed here engaged in the making of lamps at Swindon Works

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWR lorry delivering paintings from the National Gallery to a slate mine in Wales in 1940

GWR lorry delivering paintings from the National Gallery to a slate mine in Wales in 1940
This photograph of a GWR lorry was taken around 1940

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: A Sea Hurricane being loaded onto an armed merchant ship at Cardiff docks, c. 1941

A Sea Hurricane being loaded onto an armed merchant ship at Cardiff docks, c. 1941
As well as assisting in the transportation of military goods by rail the GWR also facilitated the war effort at their docks

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Evacuees waiting outside the departure platform at Paddington in 1939

Evacuees waiting outside the departure platform at Paddington in 1939
One of the very first war time roles that the GWR was engaged in was the evacuation of children from cities to the relative safety of the countryside

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot at Liddington, c. 1942

The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot at Liddington, c. 1942
The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot on the chalk ridge at Liddington, near Swindon

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Van loaded with waste paper from the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941

Van loaded with waste paper from the General Stores at Swindon Works, 1941
Paper salvage was introduced by the Government at the outbreak of war in 1939. It was designed to encourage the recycling of materials to aid the war effort

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Signalman in operating signal levers during wartime, c. 1940

Signalman in operating signal levers during wartime, c. 1940
A signalman in his gas mask continues normal duties at this unknown signalbox

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: A petrol trailer fire pump hauled by an ex-GWR Express Cartage van, 1940

A petrol trailer fire pump hauled by an ex-GWR Express Cartage van, 1940
Fire fighting by the GWR was a important job in the Second World War

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Bomb damage to Paddington Station in 1941

Bomb damage to Paddington Station in 1941
A view of the departure side of Paddington Station following the explosion of a parachute mine on 17th April 1941

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWR Wartime Emergency Headquarters in Berkshire, 1940

GWR Wartime Emergency Headquarters in Berkshire, 1940
A busy office scene pictured here in 1940. This office was part of the GWRs Emergency Headquarters located at Aldermaston, Berkshire

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Air Raid damage to Paddington Station, 1941

Air Raid damage to Paddington Station, 1941
A view of Paddington Station following the explosion of the parachute mine on the 17th April 1941. Showing the internal damage to the station, particularly to Platform 1

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Motor landing craft built by the GWR at Swindon Works, 1942

Motor landing craft built by the GWR at Swindon Works, 1942
In August 1941 the GWR began building the first of a large number of motor landing craft in the Carriage and Wagon shops at Swindon. No. 13, Wagon Frame Shop was where this work took place

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Matilda II tanks under construction at Swindon Work in 1941

Matilda II tanks under construction at Swindon Work in 1941
In September 1941, three Matilda II tanks were photographed leaving AE shop on Rectank wagons. The tanks are incomplete and are presumably ready to be transported elsewhere for final assembly

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Tanks under construction in A Erecting Shop, Swindon Works. 1941

Tanks under construction in A Erecting Shop, Swindon Works. 1941
One of the earliest tasks contracted to the GWR by the Ministry of Supply was the erection of tanks for supply overseas

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Shell production for World War 2 in 24F shop at Swindon Works, 1942

Shell production for World War 2 in 24F shop at Swindon Works, 1942
An image of the shell production line in 24F Shop showing view of the workshop space for shell inspection during World War 2

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Staff at Gloucester Station 1944

Staff at Gloucester Station 1944
A group of station staff are photographed in front of a locomotive at Gloucester Station in 1944. Women held roles at railway stations during the war that were, until then, male occupations

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Goods Yard, Cardiff Docks, 1943

Goods Yard, Cardiff Docks, 1943
The Goods Yard at Cardiff Docks in September 1943 is the subject of this image. It features a group of three women unloading boxes from an open railway wagon

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Dining Car Attendant, about 1940

Female Dining Car Attendant, about 1940
During the Second World War women took over roles normally assigned to men. This image shows a female GWR dining car attendant serving tea to three passengers

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female wartime workers, 1943

Female wartime workers, 1943
This line up of women at Paddington Station shows the varied jobs female GWR employees undertook during the Second World War

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Clerks at Swindon Works, 1916

Female Clerks at Swindon Works, 1916
This image of female clerks was taken in May 1916, just 10 years after women were first employed in clerical positions within the GWR

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Refreshment Attendant, c. 1918

Female Refreshment Attendant, c. 1918
A member of Refreshment Department staff is photographed manning the platform trolley at Paddington Station circa 1918

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Carriage and Wagon Stamping (No. 18) Shop in 1915

Carriage and Wagon Stamping (No. 18) Shop in 1915
This image of the Carriage and Wagon Stamping (No.18) Shop was taken in March 1915. Although no men are in shot, it shows the busy, dirty and hot nature of this workshop

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works Polishing Shop in 1914

Swindon Works Polishing Shop in 1914
A photograph taken on 7th August 1914 of the Polishing Shop in the Carriage and Wagon Works

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: The Goods Yard at Cardiff Docks in 1943

The Goods Yard at Cardiff Docks in 1943
The Goods Yard at Cardiff Docks in September 1943 is the subject of this image featuring a group of ladies stacking boxes that have probably just been off-loaded from a goods train

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women employee in the Road Motor Department at Slough, 1944

Women employee in the Road Motor Department at Slough, 1944
The Road Motor Department at Slough was another area that saw the employment of women in traditionally male roles

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works employees welding superheaters for locomotive boilers, 1942

Swindon Works employees welding superheaters for locomotive boilers, 1942
A group of female employees are welding the superheaters for locomotive boilers in P1 Shop

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works employees manouvering a wheel set by crane, c. 1940

Swindon Works employees manouvering a wheel set by crane, c. 1940
In this photograph a female crane operator is working alongside two male colleagues, manoeuvring a locomotive wheel set into place

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: US soldiers embarking a ship in a GWR South Wales Dock, 1942

US soldiers embarking a ship in a GWR South Wales Dock, 1942
The GWR docks in South Wales became busy points for the arrival

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Railway carriage converted to an ambulance ward car, c1939

Railway carriage converted to an ambulance ward car, c1939
This internal view of an ambulance ward car gives a clear image of both the ingenuity used in converting rolling stock for medical use, but also the cramped conditions endured within these vehicles

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Home Guard manning an anti-aircraft gun platform, c. 1940

Swindon Home Guard manning an anti-aircraft gun platform, c. 1940
Swindon Works was considered a prime target for aircraft strikes during World War II

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWRs Home Guard battalions on parade at Castle Bar Park in London, c. 1940

GWRs Home Guard battalions on parade at Castle Bar Park in London, c. 1940
The Home Guard was originally known as the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV). The LDV was formed in May 1940, but in August 1940 the LDV changed its name to the Home Guard

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Standing down parade of 13th Battalion Home Guard, Swindon Works, 1944

Standing down parade of 13th Battalion Home Guard, Swindon Works, 1944
By the end of 1944 the threat of invasion from Germany became unlikely and it was decided that the Home Guard could be stood down

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Presentation of the Wiltshire Home Guard in 1944

Presentation of the Wiltshire Home Guard in 1944
This photograph shows the presentation of an award to Home Guard member Mr C Wheeler in April 1944

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWR fire brigade at Paddington Station taking part in a drill, c. 1940

GWR fire brigade at Paddington Station taking part in a drill, c. 1940
This image shows members of the GWR fire brigade at Paddington Station taking part in a drill. Training was an important part of fire fighting and kept employees prepared in case of an emergency

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Air raid shelter at West Ealing Goods Yard, 1940

Air raid shelter at West Ealing Goods Yard, 1940
A rather intriguing photo here of West Ealing Goods Yard, taken in 1940

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Wartime shells being packed up in 24F shop, ready for transportation in 1942

Wartime shells being packed up in 24F shop, ready for transportation in 1942
By 1943 the majority of Allied munitions production was undertaken by America and Canada. This eased the pressure on British workshops as there had become a serious shortage of materials

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: War time work in Q Shop at Swindon Works, 1942

War time work in Q Shop at Swindon Works, 1942
This image was taken in March 1942 and shows four women operating a large pressing machine in Q Shop

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Production line for wartime shells in No. 24 Shop, Swindon Works, 1942

Production line for wartime shells in No. 24 Shop, Swindon Works, 1942
No.24 Shop, on the Carriage and Wagon side of Swindon Works was fitted out with two production lines for 25-pounder shells

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Servicemen drinking tea from a refreshment trolley on Paddington station, during WWII

Servicemen drinking tea from a refreshment trolley on Paddington station, during WWII
A member of Refreshment Department staff serving tea to servicemen from her platform trolley at Paddington Station is the feature of this official photograph taken in 1943

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWR parcel van converted into an ambulance, 1940

GWR parcel van converted into an ambulance, 1940. The driver and another man in uniform are wearing gas masks

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Woman pasting a billboard poster at Paddington station, 1943

Woman pasting a billboard poster at Paddington station, 1943
Woman up a ladder pasting a billboard poster at Paddington station, 1943. The poster reads Remembrance Day FM Earl Haigs Appeal. Wear a Flanders Poppy. A locomotive in steam is in the background

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Clerks at Swindon Works, 1916

Female Clerks at Swindon Works, 1916
A group shot of female clerks taken in May 1916. This group are from the Accounts Office at Swindon Works and were managed by Mr Kelynack, the Clerk in Charge

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Norton Fitzwarren train crash, 1940

Norton Fitzwarren train crash, 1940
On the night of November 4th 1940 locomotive No. 6028 King George VI left Paddington Station hauling thirteen coaches heading for Penzance

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Norton Fitzwarren train crash in 1940

Norton Fitzwarren train crash in 1940
On the night of November 4th 1940 locomotive No. 6028 King George VI left Paddington Station hauling thirteen coaches heading for Penzance

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female rivet hotter, A Shop, c. 1940

Female rivet hotter, A Shop, c. 1940
During the Second World War Swindon Works employed women in both the workshops and offices. Here a female employee is helping her male colleague with riveting

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Mobile emergency canteen at Paddington Station, during WWII

Mobile emergency canteen at Paddington Station, during WWII
Paddington station in 1943 and a shot of the mobile emergency canteen, which was used to feed station staff, APR wardens

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women porters working in the left luggage office at Paddington station, during WWII

Women porters working in the left luggage office at Paddington station, during WWII
The Left Luggage Department at Paddington Station was, during the war, manned by female staff as can be seen in this image taken in 1943

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Locomotive driver in air raid kit, during WWII

Locomotive driver in air raid kit, during WWII
Locomotive no. 5085 Evesham Abbey with a locomotive driver on the footplate wearing a gas mask during WWII

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: GWR Works Home Guard passing out parade, December 1944

GWR Works Home Guard passing out parade, December 1944

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female worker servicing a Thorncroft lorry at Slough Road Motor Department, 1944

Female worker servicing a Thorncroft lorry at Slough Road Motor Department, 1944
During the Second World War women were given jobs normally assigned to men. At the GWR Road Motor Depot at Slough this involved car and lorry maintenance and repair

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Shunter in the wartime blackout, c. 1940

Shunter in the wartime blackout, c. 1940
Blackouts were challenging times for some GWR employees, as this image of a shunter taken at Bristol shows

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works War Work, 23rd January 1942

Swindon Works War Work, 23rd January 1942
Female workers sorting 25 PDR shells. Work issued by the Ministry of Supply

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female track maintenance workers during WW2

Female track maintenance workers during WW2

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women working on a locomotive boiler in Swindon Work during WW2

Women working on a locomotive boiler in Swindon Work during WW2

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Retired staff returning to work at Didcot Station, 1917

Retired staff returning to work at Didcot Station, 1917
These retired members of staff returned to work during the First World War to help out where there was a shortage of men. They are (L-R) James Stock, David Ireland and George Wilks

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: V Shop, 1943

V Shop, 1943
Female worker drilling crown plate of boiler firebox. During World War 2 female staff were employed at Swindon Works to replace the men who had been enlisted

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women war workers making ammunition shells in 24F Shop, 1943

Women war workers making ammunition shells in 24F Shop, 1943
These women have been tasked with the pressing on of copper bands and insertion of base plates for 25-pounder quick firing, high explosive, streamline shells

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Ticket Inspector at Paddington Station in 1943

Female Ticket Inspector at Paddington Station in 1943
An official photograph of a ticket inspector at Paddington Station checking the ticket of a passenger on-board an outbound train in 1943

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: No 3 Company Swindon Battalion Home Guard, January 1941

No 3 Company Swindon Battalion Home Guard, January 1941
Marching alongside the Iron Foundry (J Shop)

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female permanent way workers, c1940

Female permanent way workers, c1940
During the Second World War women were employed in various different roles within the GWR

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women workers at the Road Motor Department, Slough, March 1944

Women workers at the Road Motor Department, Slough, March 1944
During the Second World War women were given jobs normally assigned to men. At the GWR Road Motor Depot at Slough this involved car maintenance and repair

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Woman using steam press at Swindon Works, 1942

Woman using steam press at Swindon Works, 1942
Although women were employed on the railways prior to 1939, work involving the operating of heavy machinery, as shown in this photograph, was considered to be unsuitable for the fairer sex

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Women war workers stamping ammunition shells in B Shop, 1942

Women war workers stamping ammunition shells in B Shop, 1942

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works war work, 22nd January 1942

Swindon Works war work, 22nd January 1942
Female worker machining a 25 PDR shell. Work issued by Ministry of Supply

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Swindon Works War Work, 26th June 1942

Swindon Works War Work, 26th June 1942
A female worker varnishing the inside of a 9.2" shell. This work was issued by the Ministry of Supply

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female employees working in the Permanant Way Department during WW2

Female employees working in the Permanant Way Department during WW2

Background imageWar Workers Rights Managed Collection: Female Ticket Collector at Paddington Station during WW2

Female Ticket Collector at Paddington Station during WW2
An official photograph of a ticket inspector at Paddington Station checking the ticket of a passenger on-board an outbound train in 1943



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