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© Transport for London
Collection of London Transport Museum
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A 'farewell social gathering' held at the People's Palace, Mile End. The event organised by London Underground Railways and the London General Omnibus Company marked the efforts of both past and present women war workers.

Unknown photographer, 22 Oct 1919

Location: Mile End Road, Tower Hamlets E1

Image no: Ukn

Inventory no: 1998/83605

20th Century London caption: This 'Farewell Social Gathering' took place at the People's Palace, Mile End, on 22 October 1919. It was organised by the London Underground Railway and the London General Omnibus Company to celebrate the achievements of their female staff during the war. The transport companies were grateful for the work the women had done, but had hired them only temporarily. Jobs had been kept open for the male transport workers returning from war. Women had proved they were more than capable of doing 'men's' jobs. A contemporary magazine for transport employees, the TOT, reported that 'one of London's most cheerful memories of the war [is] that of the alert and cheerful conductors who kept the trains and buses running'.

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