Description
Medal of the Order of the British Empire, “Canary Girl” Ethel Taylor, for bravery when a tray of detonators exploded in her hand taking off her thumb “I still held the tray” she says.
As issued on ribbon with brooch pin, in fitted John Pinches case of issue.
The rim privately hand engraved in upright capitals: “Ethel Taylor”.
Announced in the London Gazette, 15th January 1919, Page 808 with the following citation:
“For courage and presence of mind in retaining her hold on a tray of detonators when one had exploded and blown off her thumb.”
Ethel was photographed, with a smile, as part of the Imperial War Museum’s “Women’s Work Collection” reference DEC 6/290
The back of the photograph providing a personal insight into the event where she says:
“Accident happened on 2nd July 1918 by carrying a tray of detonators. One exploded taking part of my thumb, in spite of which I still held the tray”.
She was presented with her award on 8th April 1919.
Please go here to see a digitised copy of her portrait.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381288
Ethel Taylor was what was known as a “Canary Girl”, Many women took up the dangerous role of working in munitions factories to keep the army supplies with shells and explosives.
However the work directly with the chemical Trinitrotuluene better known as TNT would poison them giving them yellow nails, skin and hair.
A detailed BBC Article on these women was published during 2017 titled “The Canary Girls, the Workers the war turned yellow”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39434504
The article recalls the women risking life and limb for the work, this medal being evidence that the limb part was certainly true.
