Information supplied through Research Project led by Nigel Crompton.

Name: Gertrude Louisa Elizabeth Walker
DoB: 03 July 1890
Place of birth: Uckfield Sussex
Parents: Adam & Emma (nee Whiting)
Parental Home: 3 Alexandra Road, Uckfield
Siblings: Florence Emma (1883-1975), Edith Alice (1886-1962) Reginald Arthur (1902-1970)
Spouse: Not married
Date of Wedding: Not applicable
Children : Not applicable
Marital home(s) : Not applicable
Employment: 1911 census – drapers assistant
1911 Census: The Hollies, Granville Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent
Date of death: 1989
Location: Worthing

Gretna details
Name: Gertrude Louisa Elizabeth Walker
Clock No
Date joining: Not known
Date leaving: 1919 (see notes below)
Addresses: Women’s Police Barracks No2, Gretna
Rank on start: PC
Promotion: Not known

Career after: Matron of night shelter

1921 Census : Living at 2 Palmer Street, Weston Super Mare
Addresses after Gretna
1948 – 24 Nevern Place, Earls Court, London
1957 – 114 Marine Parade, Brighton, Sussex

Additional information

As with many WPS members, it is difficult to decide why or where they joined the service. Gertrude did not appear to have a political leaning nor can her name be found relating to Suffragette or Suffragist activities, so whilst pure supposition it could be she was just directed to the WPS. She was born into the family of Adam & Emma Walker in 1890 whilst they were living in Uckfield, Sussex, where her father was employed as a carpenter/ joiner. In 1911, Gertrude was living and working in Sevenoaks across the border in Kent. She was a drapers assistant. Whilst at Gretna her name is amongst those living in Number 2 Barracks. There is a photograph of No2 Barracks in the Devils Porridge Museum Collection so it is possible Gertrude is one of the women being inspected by an officer. After the war, we find Gertrude working in Weston Super Mare as a night shelter matron and living in a building that survives today. She never married. In later life she travelled to many different counties and we include a few details below. A search of the 1939 registration documents has drawn a blank. It is possible Gertrude was living abroad at the time. In the 1950’s she moved to Brighton, on the coast of Sussex. Her accommodation on Marine Parade had easy access to the promenade, beach and a flat walk into the town. The property was in the suburb of Kemptown on the junction with Bloomsbury Place.She died in Worthing during 1989, aged 99.