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Woman police officer Annie Matthews, Hyde Park, London

Woman police officer Annie Matthews, Hyde Park, London


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Woman police officer Annie Matthews, Hyde Park, London

Woman police officer Annie Matthews (nickname Big Ben), on duty at the childrens lido in Hyde Park, London. Before joining the Met Police, Annie worked as a housemaid at Glamis Castle in Scotland. She joined the force in July 1919, but left in July 1922 during the period of the so-called Geddes Axe, when the government of the day reduced the number of policewomen from 112 to 20. However she rejoined in December 1922 and continued to serve until December 1949. Date: 1939

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Media ID 14306924

© Metropolitan Police Authority/Mary Evans

Annie Buttons Duty Enjoyment Equality Hyde Lido Matthews Metropolitan Nickname Policewoman Policewomen Pool Shirt Stanley Swimming Swimsuit Swimwear Officers


FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Architecture > Towers > Big Ben

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Police

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > Big Ben

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > Hyde Park

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > The Hyde

> Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland > Castles

> Europe > United Kingdom > Scotland > Rivers


EDITORS COMMENTS
Annie Matthews, affectionately known as 'Big Ben,' stands proudly in her Metropolitan Police uniform at the children's lido in Hyde Park, London, during the summer of 1939. Before joining the Met Police, Annie worked as a housemaid at Glamis Castle in Scotland. She became a policewoman in July 1919 but was among the 92 women officers who were dismissed during the Geddes Axe in July 1922, a period when the government drastically reduced the number of policewomen from 112 to 20. Undeterred, Annie re-joined the force in December 1922 and served until December 1949. In this photograph, Annie is seen in her policewoman's uniform, complete with a white shirt, tie, and a stylish jacket adorned with shiny buttons. The open collar of her shirt reveals the top of her blouse, and she wears a smart tie with a small badge on it. Her uniform is completed with a policewoman's cap and a long, black skirt. In her hands, she carries a smiling boy, likely one of the children she was keeping an eye on at the lido. The image captures the essence of the 1930s, with the open-air pool, the children in swimwear, and the joy and fun that comes with a summer day by the water. Annie's story is a testament to the determination and resilience of women in the early days of police service. Her smile and the small boy in her arms speak volumes about the care and enjoyment she brought to her duty.

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