Female Wartime Workers at D Kitching and Sons Ltd

Young men from King James' School taken on by Kitching's during the wartime - hard work indeed!

During the Second World War traditional male labour was naturally scarce and many women took over jobs once exclusively the domain of men. D Kitching and Sons Timber Supplies in Knaresborough experienced increased need for their products, notably pit props, during the war years and, to take the place of men gone to war, replacement labour was drafted in. This came in the form of relatively local women, from as far afield as York, who performed this essential war work and lodged as close to their jobs as possible.

The work must have been hard, and the hours were certainly long - a 7.30a.m. start and 6.00p.m. finish with only half an hour for lunch - there may have been tea breaks during the day but we have no information to support this. In fact, we know very little about the lives and work of these women and we would like to know more. Sue Kitching, current [2005] owner of the company, would like to contact as many of the women as possible with the view to a reunion.

D Kitching and Sons Ltd in their old premises at Hambleton Grove - this office and machine shop building would have existed at the time of WW2

From documents of the time it transpires that the women, mostly in their late teens, were usually forestry workers engaged in what must have been strenuous, physical tasks.

On the 18th September 1943 a list of women employees, other than office staff, was supplied to the Ministry of Labour and National Service. From this document we learn that working at Worlds End Plantation, Stockton-on-Forest were five from the Womens Timber Corps (W.T.C.): J. Trippet, W.M. Ackroyd, C.A. Cain, C.I. Free, J.K. Dixon and M. Didlock; another three W.T.C. were working at Blythe Barn Plantation, Bishop Burton: E.M. Vickery, E. Deeman and J. Cocker.

One W.T.C Women seems to have been working on her own at Thorn Wood, Nunburnholme: I.A. Lassey and another on her own at West Wood, Grantley: Kathleen Carass. J. Pemberton (W.T.C) was working as a Tractor Driver at Kilnwick Peroy Estate.

Nine civilians were working at Grimston Wood, Elvington: G.M. Reeves, G. (Gertrude?) Carr, N. Hardy, S. Gatenby, F. (Florence?) Hill, B. Handley, M. Hutchinson, D. E. Biscombe and N. Wray. F. Kay, a civilian, was working on her own at Sessay Wood, Pilmoor.

From other documentary sources we have the names Emily Maud Rigby, Florence Mary Ibbotson, Phyllis Lilian Marsh, Violet Hilton, Jean Elliott, Nancy Nora Thwaites, Eileen Rogers, D.J. Holborow, A.Wray, I.M. Barley, G.M. Reeves and D.N. Hardy.

To The Ministry of Labour & National Service in Pateley Bridge, 14th November 1941: "We have been informed by the Timber Control that a number of Land Girls are going to be released from agriculture during the winter months, and if we require any for the pit propping we should apply through the labour exchange. If you have any on your books we shall be obliged if you would let us know."

To The Ministry of Labour in York, 3rd April, 1942: "We require about 10 women and girls for Forestry work in a wood adjoining the "Four Alls", Malton Road and shall be pleased to hear if you have any available. Standard rates of pay plus travelling and overtime."

Letters relating to the employment of Eileen Rogers

Eileen Rogers was obviously a very valued employee. She started work with Kitching's in 1939 and was trained as a clerk. In September 1943 Kitchings received a "Registration for Employment Order, 1941" dealing with women "regarded as available to meet the very heavy demands of the Women's Service and of expanding war production unless they have special qualifications or occupy a pivotal position". This particular document related solely to Eileen Rogers.

Kitching's immediately made representations regarding the essential war work Eileen was involved in at Kitchings and her aptitude for this work: "...Has been in our employment nearly 4 years and is very efficient. In the past we have endeavoured to train two Juniors, both were found unsuitable. Numerous Statutory Forms, Licenses and returns, many of a statistical nature have to be completed in connection with the Timber Trade, this work is in addition to normal routine..."

The Labour Exchange was eventually persuaded that Eileen's work was essential and that she should be allowed to stay with Kitching's: "Apparently they had overlooked our activities in the Home Grown Timber Trade".