Alice Kathleen Hedges

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Member of the Women’s Police Service

Place of Death 15 Scrutton Close Headington Date of Birth: April 4, 1893 Date of Death: December 7, 1968

Biography

Information supplied through Research Project led by Nigel Crompton.

Full name of worker at H.M. Factory Gretna (and any other names they are known by) : Alice Kathleen Hedges

Gender: Female

Date and Place of Birth: 4^th April 1893 in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Date and Place of Death: 7th December 1968 15 Scrutton Close, Headington.

Nationality: British

Childhood: She had 7 siblings.

Parents: Elijah Thomas Henry & Honor Jane (nee Snelgrove)

Parent’s occupations: N/K

Schools / universities attended and years of attendance: N/K

Occupation: Police Officer.

Place of residence at Gretna: Women’s Police Barracks No1, Gretna

Job title at Gretna: Women’s Police Officer.

Marital status: Unmarried.

Children: N/K

Travels: N/K

Awards/recognitions: N/K

Trivia / any other information:

Alice was born into the family of Elijah and Honor Hedges on 4 April 1893. They originally lived inEastleigh, Hampshire but soon moved to the Croydon area where Elijah became a successful builder. Whilstwe have not located Alice on the 1911 census, we find that apart from her older brother Oscar and Alice herself, the remainder of the family were now in Feltham, Middlesex.

We can not confirm exactly when Alice joined the Women Police Service or why but she appears on the 1918-1919 valuation roll. The roll also indicates she was working in the Eastriggs/ Dornock area of HM Factory Gretna as she was billeted in the Women’s Police Barracks in Eastriggs. Additional evidence is her signature appears on the petition sent by WPS members to Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions.

Possibly in 1919 she moved to Dumbarton. Oxford City Police advertised for policewomen and Alice was one of those chosen for interview. The Watch Committee decided to appoint Alice and she began work with Oxford City Police on 15 April 1921 earning £3 per week plus 9/6 lodging allowance. The 1921 census shows Alice living at 4 Circus Street, Cowley with the Prior family, whilst on the 1939 registration she is still a policewoman and living more centrally on Ship Street, located in the middle of a large number of colleges.

Retiring due to ill health, Alice’s last day in Oxford City Police was 30 September 1943. She passed away on December 7, 1968.