Summary: The rôle of women munitions workers in factories, showing the Herrick family and friends at work and play on Mary Herrick's birthday.
Description: In a munitions factory [Bourne Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex], 25-pounder guns are made by women workers, such as members of the Herrick family (who are seen at home in their dingy flat). The eldest daughter Mary, celebrating her 21st birthday, prepares for her first day at work. The factory's (male) supervisors praise the dedication of the women workers, and introduce some of them at work. "There's the Herrick girls, Sylvia and Mary"; sisters Mrs Parsons and Mrs Halliday at their machines, working to rigid requirements; Mrs Pugh, in change of "sleeve actuation"; Mrs Herrick operating a crane; Mrs Morton "who worked in munitions during the last war"; in Bay 5 "the Beddington girl" turning jackets; Mrs Cottingham, milling screw threads; Mrs Flynn "slinging loads" of gun barrels etc. In eight months, all these women have learned the way to make guns. Machinery is shown (one cleaning the insides of gun barrels) and other workers are introduced, including the shop steward, Mrs Johnson, a cutter and grinder. At the end of the day, all the ladies clock out and go to Mary's birthday party, where sandwiches and cake are in abundance ("neighbours help out with rations"). These women "who make the munitions but keep family life going at the same time" are praised once again; and a final plea for more women workers is made.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Realist (Production company)
Lye, Len (Production individual)
Taylor, John Elston1914-10-051992-09-15 (Production individual)
Jeakins, A E (Production individual)
Pearl, Albert (Production individual)
Meyer, Ernst H (Production individual)
Herrick Family (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 680 ft; Running time: 6 mins
