Document one

Employer at Vickers, Dartford, 1923-1925

I left Heath Lane School at Dartford in 1921 at the age of 14. The oldest of eight children, my ambition was to be a nurse but, in those days, training had to be paid for and my parents were unable to afford it.

After one or two short-term jobs, I was employed by Vickers, Dartford, as a machinist. Although I remained with the firm for approximately 12 years, I never liked or settled into factory work and found it noisy and monotonous.

The factory was engaged on munitions work and one department I worked in was the Fuze Department. The language was earthy and vulgar at times, but the impression was given that most men would mind their language in front of the women. After some years service, I had to inspect the work of others. I found this difficult, particularly with the men in the department who resented a woman performing this task.

Workers had to 'clock on' and 'clock off' and their pay was docked if they were late. Workers wore overalls and protective head gear to prevent their hair being entangled in the machinery.

I had a serious accident at work when I caught my left hand in the machinery. This resulted in fractures to two of my middle fingers. I was rescued by a fellow worker who stopped the machinery and released my fingers. I was taken to hospital and although the bones in my fingers knitted together, the nerves were permanently damaged and I lost the sensation and feeling to the two fingers for the remainder of my life. After this event I started courting my rescuer and eventually left the firm to marry him in 1935.

Wages were unequal and the men earned more than the women for the same work. I earned £1.7s.6d a week. From this sum I paid my mother £1 a week for board and lodgings and saved up to get married on 7s.6d a week. My engagement lasted for five years!

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF MINNIE MAY CAMP (DARTFORD)