Blue plaque honours Horley’s WW1 ‘Munitionettes’
Horley Local History Society has unveiled a blue plaque at the front of The Archway Theatre, in The Drive, Horley, commemorating the town’s ‘Munitionettes’. These were women who acquired this nickname in World War One because, from 1915 to 1918, they made munitions for the British military.
The Munitionettes worked under the arches, next to Horley railway station. Today, Horley’s community theatre, The Archway, occupies this site.
The ceremony’s compere was Veronica Ballard MBE, a long-standing member of both Horley Local History Society and The Archway. She has a great interest in, as well as knowledge of, the town’s history. In 2016, the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded Veronica the MBE, in recognition of her services to the local community.
Honorary Alderwoman Dorothy Ross-Tomlin, a former mayor of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead, performed the unveiling.
As Veronica explained, the Munitionettes’ work was hardly glamorous and was sometimes dangerous: “They worked twelve-hour shifts and their skin turned yellow because of the TNT they were handling. So, they were also nicknamed ‘canaries’.”
Commented Dorothy Ross-Tomlin, “I am very honoured to be commemorating today these very brave women, particularly when one remembers that, in 1915, the government decided they were smart enough to do this dangerous work but weren’t smart enough to get the vote.”
Chair of Horley Local History Society, Alan Reid, indicates that this blue plaque may not be a one-off. “We are researching more possible local commemorative plaques, so please watch this space!” he says.
Further details about Horley Local History Society are available at www.horleyhistory.org.uk; and for more information about The Archway Theatre, Horley, go to archwaytheatre.com.