Derby Gas Light and Coke Company: Milestone for a woman in a man's world

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BACK in 1940, Joan Hodgkinson (now Watson) was literally the only woman in a man’s world. She was the sole female among 400 men employed by Derby Gas Light and Coke Company and, what’s more, she went on to become a union representative.

Joan demonstrated a grit and strength of character then that has seen her live to receive a telegram from the Queen this year, congratulating her on celebrating her 100th birthday.

A widow for 44 years – longer than most people are married – Joan is still amazingly fit, lives in her own home, shops, cooks and attends afternoon clubs.

Paying tribute to a remarkable woman, her daughter, Joan Lister, of Bournemouth, recounted her mother’s working life and, in particular, those tough years at the gas works.

“Mum went to school in Burton-on-Trent, where she won one of only six scholarship places to the local grammar school.

“She married in 1924, my father having lost his job the night before the wedding. She worked most of her life. Her jobs included being a Celanese shop assistant, a Johnny-cum-lately office worker, a telephonist at Rolls-Royce, a forewoman in a clothing factory, an air raid warden and working at Litchurch Gas Works, in Derby, for 17 years.

“After my father died, she was a part-time telephonist at the DRI. Then she got married again to her second cousin, moving back to Burton. When he died 44 years ago, she moved to Lincoln to be near her youngest daughter.

“She still has vivid memories of the 17 years she was at the gas works.

“She was taken on near the beginning of the war in 1940 and was engaged originally to work at night on security and alternate weeks in the office.

“The pay was £2 10s – a great improvement on the 35shillings she had previously earned as a forewoman in the clothes factory.

“Unfortunately, her opposite number left when she began the night shift, so she had to work for eight weeks without a day off or extra pay.

“She complained to the head of the company, Mr B Mallinder, and an ex-PC was engaged, followed later by two more, to cover the three eight-hour shifts.

“During the night, if there was enemy action, her job was to alert the associated works at Belper, Ambergate and Long Eaton by phone.

“During the day shifts, mum and one man ran the coke business. A great deal of this was sent by rail to factories in the north of England and it was a matter of concern to her when wagons “went missing” or were left forgotten in sidings, or broke down.

“Fuel was in short supply for domestic use, so people came to the works on Saturday mornings to buy coke, queuing from 6am, whatever the weather.

“They were allowed one quarter (28lbs) to take away on barrows or old prams and pushchairs.

“During the bitter winter of 1947, all three ex-PCs went sick but my mother never missed a day.

“Normally, throughout the years, she cycled from Allenton but when the roads were impassable, she would trudge through the snow and ice, day after day, across Osmaston Park (now Ascot Drive).

“She even had a pass issued to her by the Army which was still stationed on the park. Sometimes she would stay as late as 9pm, awaiting the driver’s return, to complete cashing-up.

“But she still managed to run our home, do the shopping and feed the hens.

“Around 1946, the workers realised they had been underpaid for some time and complained to Mr Mallinder. Their wages were increased and he awarded them all back pay – but not in cash.

“He held a high position with the TSB and opened an account for each of them, depositing up to £50 for some – a very large sum in those days.

“My mother still has that same account.

“In 1948, the industry was nationalised and with that came equal pay and union representation. My mother became the union rep and carried on until she left.

“Europe was being rebuilt after the war and a lot of coke was sent from Derby to Germany. A head of department went to Germany to advise them on building gas works. Strangely, he was given the title, Major.

“The office staff now had staggered shifts to check out lorries and paying-in by drivers. My mother was still in sole charge of coke deliveries, both locally and nationally. Her writing and figures were incredibly neat and accurate.

“When she retired, the business had become so big and complicated, three men were employed to take over her job.

“Strangely enough, many years later, I got a job with Southern Gas in Bournemouth, where I worked for 20 years.

“Mum is still remarkably mobile although her sight and hearing are not very good. She always worked hard. People like her battled against fate to do their best.

“But now she is reaping the benefits. How many people live to see their grandchildren counting down to pension time?”