International Women’s Day 2026: Cut of Her Cloth
International Women’s Day 2026: Cut of Her Cloth
This International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the role of women at Chatham Dockyard with a new temporary exhibition in Steam, Steel, & Submarines.
The First World War (1914-18) saw the lives of women overturned as they replaced men in the workplace to support the war effort. At Chatham, women were employed in warship construction and repair for the first time.
By 1916, over 2000 women were employed to replace Dockyard men who had volunteered for active service. During the Second World War (1939-45), severe labour shortages led to the conscription of women to work in industry or the auxiliary services from December 1941. Even more women joined the Dockyard workforce.
Constance Huggett
Constance Huggett was one of many women drafted in to replace the men away at war. Constance was one of the first women to work as a welder, drilling machinist, and overhead electric crane driver.
As a part of the temporary exhibition, items on display include:
- ‘On War Service’ Badge – 1916
In May 1916, the War Office (Ministry of Munitions) issued a triangular-shaped badge exclusively for women workers. Over 270,000 “On War Service” badges were issued to women between May and December 1916. - Photograph – 1917
Constance was 16 years old when this image was taken. she is seen sitting here in the front row, third from left with her fellow female No.5 Machine Shop colleagues in 1917. - Photograph – 1941
Following the First World War, Constance worked as a nurse in New Zealand before settling in Gillingham. Constance later continued her work at the Dockyard during the Second World War and is pictured here in 1941. - Crane article 1983
In a local newspaper article of 1983, Constance recalls collecting her daily Dockyard wage of ½ Crown. She remembers fun times such as pouring buckets of snow on people’s heads whilst driving the electric overhead cranes. At the time of this interview, she was 82 years old, had six children and 22 great-grandchildren. - A selection of Hand Tools
- Air Drill and Drill Bits
