1918 Photograph

[Siamese Girl]

Can anyone throw any light on this photo? The wording on the back is "Doll aged 15 1918" She came from a large family who lived in south London. I guess she is wearing some kind of uniform/overalls and briefly did some kind of war work but the family are not aware that she did anything like that only that her first job was working in the accounts department of Sainsburys. I've looked online for women factory/ammunition workers in the war but haven't found anything that looks similar. I'm beginning to wonder if it was fancy dress.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

Carole

[genechaser]

Hi Carole

Take a look at this site.

http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/womenww1_four.htm

[Treetotal]

Nice one Genechaser...I think you've nailed it
Carol

[sadler32]

Hi Carole

I think you were right about the war work prior to going to Sainsburys. She seems to be wearing a type E suit - (see http://www.archive.org/details/protectiveclothi00grearich ) which would suggest that she was involved in metal working or handling machinery rather than chemicals.

Regards Simon.

[Siamese Girl]

Thank you - E does look the closest to what she is wearing - it just seems unusual - and quite daring -  for women to be wearing a proper overall. Mostly, when women at that time wore trousers they wore a longish length jacket or tunic over the top. I assume to make their dress look more modest.

Carole