The First World War fundamentally changed the lives of women, as they began to take on professions that had previously been reserved exclusively for men. One such woman was Edith Smith, who was sworn in as a police constable with official powers of arrest in Grantham. Her subsequent and varied work, particularly in London, became a breakthrough in the fight for gender equality in law enforcement.
It was Edith Smith who paved the way for future generations of female police officers. Her work went down in history and marked the beginning of a new era for British women. Read on at londonka.
Early Life and Starting Work
Edith Smith was born on 21 November 1876 in Oxton, Birkenhead. She was one of six children born to James Smith and his wife, Harriet. Unusually for the time, she was able to get an education. She initially worked as a nurse and midwife, a job that taught her how to handle stressful situations. The early 20th century in Great Britain was a period of significant social reform. Women were fighting for the right to education, employment, and the vote. During the First World War, a critical labour shortage meant that women began to take on jobs traditionally held by men.
In 1914, the Women’s Police Volunteers (WPV) was founded in Britain, staffed by volunteers like Edith Smith. It was an auxiliary organisation that dealt with social issues and patrolling. Edith quickly realised that this work would give her a chance to make a real difference and joined the organisation.
Appointment and Service
In August 1915, Edith Smith was appointed to the Grantham Borough Police, becoming the first female police constable in England with full powers of arrest. This was a groundbreaking step, as women in the police force had previously only performed support functions, such as supervising female detainees or monitoring areas of prostitution. Her duties involved handling all cases in which women were involved. She aimed to reduce the number of prostitutes, who were drawn to Grantham by its large army base. Edith Smith travelled across Britain, giving talks about the work of policewomen, writing pamphlets, and holding conferences. It is worth noting that the legitimacy of female police officers was often questioned due to their limited powers.
Although she was officially employed in Lincolnshire, her influence quickly spread to the political and administrative circles of London. Many sources recognise her as the first woman to exercise the full powers of a police officer in Britain. Her work, such as combating prostitution, helped to reduce crime in the town. A key focus of female officers in the early years was helping women in crisis situations, and she excelled in this role.
Edith Smith was not afraid to approach people she found lying on the grass in parks, speaking to them with a motherly directness, pointing out the dangers of their situation and asking them to protect girls and women. There were genuine fears about the spread of venereal diseases, given that effective treatments were only just beginning to emerge during the First World War. There was also a significant stigma attached to births outside of marriage, which left single mothers in a vulnerable position. Edith Smith was aware of this and worked with staff at hostels and visitors to medical facilities to ensure better support was provided to women. The focus of her work was a direct response to the conditions of the time in the context of the First World War.
Challenges and Legacy
The job of a policewoman was not easy. Edith Smith and her colleagues received lower pay than men and had no career prospects. People were often sceptical of them, and most believed that police work was not a woman’s job. Edith’s authority was challenged and her contributions were often downplayed, but she paid no heed and continued to prove her competence. After the First World War ended, many policewomen lost their jobs as men returned from the front. In 1918, Edith Smith resigned from the service due to a breast ailment. She went on to work as a matron in a nursing home until 1919.
Edith Smith died on 26 June 1923 after taking a large dose of morphine. The coroner returned a verdict that she had harmed herself while temporarily insane. Although her life ended tragically, her contribution to British society is hard to overstate. She became an inspiration for the thousands of women who would join the police force in the years that followed.
Her memory is honoured in the Grantham Museum, and a blue plaque memorial was unveiled on the walls of the original police cells between the Guildhall and the museum. However, her grave remained unmarked until two female police officers launched a fundraising campaign to buy a headstone in 2018. In 2021, a memorial plaque was installed in her honour in Grimsby, and in London, her name is mentioned in documents about the history of the police. Her contribution is also recognised at the Women’s Museum of London, where an exhibition is dedicated to the first women to serve in the police.
Ultimately, Edith Smith did not just perform her duties; she was the first woman to truly demonstrate that the profession of a police officer belongs not only to men. She was resolute, empathetic, and believed in her own abilities. Her work in London and other cities has left a lasting mark on the history of the city and its police force.