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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Controversial Memorial to Women London


campaign

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Hi, I believe I heard about a memorial to women in London recently but don't know if it was quite general or specific and in which way. My interest lies with all those women who worked in areas, which I think was mainly manufacture of one kind or another, does anyone know about this? My elderly mother enquired about it (to my amazement) as she used to make pilots jackets in WW2 - her husband was Home Guard also but cannot discover why - where should I research this further (I don't wish to offend her with too many queries as to why an engineer was at home in WW2)....

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Reserved occupation?

Hi - sorry - I'm hopeless at this - what does that mean?

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It's possibly the one to women in WW2.

Click here for link to BBC news article. I wasnt aware it was contraversial.

John

Hi John -thanks for that - yes, I thought I'd heard discussions on radio from the ladies who thought it should be exclusive to women who died in one capacity or another, or, aimed at all those who worked toward the war effort thus including munitions workers etc???????

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My dad was the same-skilled machinist (grinder) and mainly worked on items having very fine tolerances and finishes.

Joined the Home Guard; worked in the factory by day and guarded it by night. Have a KRRC proficiency certificate for him showing specialist skill as a bomber.

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I think that the controversy surrounding the new women's memorial is a good thing as it has people talking about it and it may also have school children debating over whether or not it is an appropriate memorial for the subject that it is commemorating. It is a memorial for the new millenium both thought provoking and unlike all the other phallic memorials from the past. I must admit I was a bit shocked when I first saw the photo of the lifeless hanging clothes, but I am starting to warm to it.

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I think that the controversy surrounding the new women's memorial is a good thing as it has people talking about it and it may also have school children debating over whether or not it is an appropriate memorial for the subject that it is commemorating. It is a memorial for the new millenium both thought provoking and unlike all the other phallic memorials from the past. I must admit I was a bit shocked when I first saw the photo of the lifeless hanging clothes, but I am starting to warm to it.

Hi - I've been reading up some of the older posts on this subject - can't imagine how it was finalised without extra input at the time. My first thought on seeing the pic was of coats hung up in order to don the 'pinnies' again and I felt annoyed recalling (possibly incorrectly?) tutoring on the formation of Unions to restict women working after WW2 - any social historians out there?

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My dad was the same-skilled machinist (grinder) and mainly worked on items having very fine tolerances and finishes.

Joined the Home Guard; worked in the factory by day and guarded it by night. Have a KRRC proficiency certificate for him showing specialist skill as a bomber.

Hi - thanks for that - this sounds rather like my late father. He often recounted grim tales to us and seemed pretty annoyed that we small girls didn't have any sense or interest in the matter (then) - by the way, what is a KRRC cert?

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For an earlier discussion, click here. There was controversy aplenty.

Hi - thanks for that link - I'd never have found that without it and have spent some time reading through - seems contraversial to me considering just this forum etc.... curious as to your view now the dust has settled?

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I'm afraid there was a lot of ill-informed waffle about this on the forum originally. In the end it's a matter of personal taste, but interestingly enough, those whom it represents appear to have had no difficulty with it - and that's what counts of course. Personally I think it very imaginative.

Terry Reeves

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My problem with it is that from only a short distance away it looks like the aftermath of a Klu Klux Klan lynch meeting. Very macabre and not the sort of feeling that I would want from a memorial.

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I'm afraid there was a lot of ill-informed waffle about this on the forum originally. ...

The earlier thread included contributions from the son of the woman who started the whole thing, involved a good deal of background research by a number of Pals, and included remarks informed by correspondence with the artist and Betty Boothroyd. Few threads have been better informed.

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campaign,

sorry for not replying earlier - been away from the pc 'til this pm.

KRRC Cert - It is a certificate stating that my dad was trained as a specialist bomber (grenade throwing) with his Home Guard unit of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and signed by his CO.

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- by the way, what is a KRRC cert?

Kings Royal Rifle Corps certificate

zoo

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campaign,

sorry for not replying earlier - been away from the pc 'til this pm.

KRRC Cert - It is ....

Hi -thanks, I'm prob in wrong forum now for this query but wonder where to look for more info for my late father's role in Home Guard - any tips would be appreciated.

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