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Two women police officers in London, WW2
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Two women police officers in London, WW2
Two women police officers on duty wearing air raid helmets on a London street during the Second World War. They are WPCs Ivy Baxter and Beatrice Gargrave (both joined June 1937). Date: 1940s
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Media ID 14307062
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Armband Baxter Beatrice Belt Colleague Colleagues Constable Constables Duty Equality Helmets Metropolitan Policewoman Policewomen Raid Shirt
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, two brave Women Police Constables (WPCs), Ivy Baxter and Beatrice Gargrave, are seen on duty during the tumultuous 1940s in London, during the Second World War. The year is not explicitly stated, but the women's attire and the presence of air raid helmets suggest that this image was likely taken between the late 1930s and the early 1940s. The Metropolitan Police Force, the UK's oldest and largest police service, welcomed its first intake of Women Police Constables in 1915. However, it was during the Second World War that the role of policewomen became increasingly significant, as men were called away to fight, leaving women to take on a wider range of responsibilities within the force. Ivy Baxter and Beatrice Gargrave, both having joined the Metropolitan Police in June 1937, are pictured here in their distinctive uniforms. Their white shirts, ties, and belts are adorned with the iconic armbands that identified them as policewomen. They are seen carrying tin bags, likely containing their equipment, and wearing air raid helmets to protect themselves from potential bombings. The women's determined expressions and their shared glance speak volumes about their camaraderie and their unwavering commitment to their duty. This photograph is a testament to the vital role that women played in the police force during the Second World War, demonstrating their resilience, courage, and equality in the face of adversity. Ivy Baxter and Beatrice Gargrave, along with countless other policewomen, proved that they were more than capable of performing the duties of a police officer, paving the way for future generations of women in law enforcement.
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