Women munitions workers at George Kent Ltd, 1916 [Z1306/75/17/20]
(Caption reads: "We are helping those who are helping us")
Tuesday
13th November 1917: The King has today honoured the town of Luton
with an unexpected visit. The news that he would be making an informal visit
was announced on Monday afternoon. He was met by the Mayor and the Town Clerk
and paid a visit to various works including those of Messrs. George Kent Ltd.
The King arrived shortly before 11.00 a.m. in the Royal car and left between
12.30 and 1.00 p.m. He is reported to be looking alert and fit, with no signs
of his age except a little grey in his beard. He wore the uniform of a field
marshal, with a black crepe band on his left sleeve as a symbol of mourning. The
processes carried out in the first works visited so interested the King that he
stayed for twice the expected time.[1]
At George Kent’s works the
King was greeted with enthusiastic cheers. Again, he showed a keen interest in
the work of the various departments. A number of discharged soldiers now
working at Kent’s were drawn up in two ranks at the foot of the stairs, where
they stood to attention when the King approached. He was also saluted by the officers
of the Kent’s Corps of Girl Guides. Violet Golding, a young munitions worker
who recently received the Order of the British Empire for her bravery in
returning to work after she lost two fingers in an explosion, was also
presented to the King. In one of the workshops he asked a young girl “How many
of those can you do in the course of a day?” She answered, “I don’t know, Sir.
We don’t count. We just carry on.” The King replied, “Capital. What is required
of us is that we should carry on to the best of our ability.”
The King thanked the Mayor
for his trouble, asked him about the hat industry in the town, and was pleased
to hear that it was busy with both straw and felt hats. As the Royal car left
for London the route was lined with sightseers.
Source:
Luton News 15th November 1917
[1]
The works was not named, but it is thought likely that it was the National Fuse
Filling Factory at Chaul End.
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