The History of Ruddington Depot
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Post War Changes
Encouraging a wider perspective
Ruddington Ordnance and Supply Depot had six sub-Depots which were in regular contact with the administration on the main site at this time. The Superintendent, who was appointed to replace the one dismissed decided that the people who handled the business passing between the main site and its satellites should know something about the outposts, and meet the staff they dealt with. Eileen Selby was one of a group taken on a tour of some of the sub-Depots:
“We were allowed a day out with transport from the Depot, and we went in cars. To go by private car was a bonus. We set off and stopped at Rempstone for half-an-hour for liquid refreshment. Then we went on to Ashby Folville, Thorpe Sachville and Thurmaston where the sub Depots were. After that we knew the people we dealt with there and that was good.”
Such a visit was indicative of a more open style of management, but rigid pre-war regulations still applied to female civil servants who married, as Eileen Selby discovered.
“When you married you had to give it up, so I gave up my establishment in December 1949 when I married. I received a marriage gratuity of £60, which seemed an enormous sum in those days, and I bought a Hot-point washing machine with it. I continued to work as the Secretary to the Superintendent as a temporary civil servant until I left in 1951.”
The Story > Chapter 5 > Section 5.13