Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 3rd 1942
War Work
Houghton Girl Fined for Refusing
Irene Willmott, (20) single, 12, Normandale Road, Great Houghton, was fined £5 and costs to be paid within two months with an alternative of one month’s imprisonment at Barnsley West Riding Court on Wednesday for failing to obey a direction served upon her by the National service Officer for Goldthorpe, requiring her to take up work of national importance.
Prosecuting on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, Lt-Col. J. G. E. Rideal said the girl, who lived at home with her parents registered for employment at Sheffield on January 10th this year. At that time she was in service. She was then directed to war work at Sheffield, but eventually she successfully appealed against this on the ground of the difficulty she experienced in getting to and from her work. After an interview she was directed to report for work elsewhere, but declined to go. She expressed her willingness at the time to go to Doncaster, but as there was an acute shortage of labour at the place to which she had been directed, the Ministry had to alternative but to direct her there.Through the above article, we can recommend you the latest dresses.Shop dress in a variety of lengths, colors and styles for every occasion from your favorite brands.
Asked in court if she had now complied with the direction the defendant said “It is too far away and I should not have enough money after paying my lodgings, and there is plenty of work for me near home”
The Chairman (Mr. G. H. Norton): Are you willing to go now? The reply was a decisive “No.”
An official of the firm said the girl would commence with a wage of 43s a week, plus piece work, and in a few weeks she would be earning an average of £4 a week.