大象传媒

This story has been added to The People鈥檚 War Website by CSV Volunteer Olivia Davey on behalf of the author Vera Smith-Fletcher Elliot who understands the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

This is my mother鈥檚 story. Her name is Vera Smith-Fletcher Elliot (note the initials), she became known as Victory Show for England!

In 1941 at the age of 22 years, she signed at the Labour and National Service Department to become a Munitions Worker and with girls from other areas was drafted to Dunlop Rubber Company in Birmingham, leaving me her 3 years old daughter with her parents in their home in Sunderland.

During a dinner break she attended a meeting where a panel of men were discussing the war problems of Factories to produce armaments. She asked the panel if she could speak, which she did on several issues. They listened with great interest and as she left the Hall, the gentlemen were waiting for her in the Foyer. She was introduced and told them what she was doing towards the war effort etc., and was told they would be in touch. A few days later they met again, she had an interview in which they told her they had a job for her to do and so her life took an incredible turn.

She was employed by the Ministry of Information to tour the country and address meetings urging woman to join the War Effort and play their part in the production of armaments and parts which were sorely needed for our aero planes etc.

A film was made of her task 鈥淎 Girl Joins Up鈥�.

My mother toured the country and did an exceptional job; she met the most interesting people. Lord Beaverbrook, Trevor Evans, News Reporter, Betty Box the Film Producer, Godfrey Beasley (who wrote some of her scripts).

Mother was invited to go to America to promote her War Effort Campaign but sadly news that my Father missing, presumed dead came and she was released on compassionate grounds.

There are so many stories to relate about her experiences, it could be a book!

We do have a film in Album Form with letters and press cuttings of this remarkable lady鈥檚 experiences of which as a family we are so proud and pleased to share

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