One of Coventry's first ever female police officers turns 100 today...

[dutchman]

She signed up to help protect Coventry in the aftermath of the Second World War



One of Coventry's first ever female police officers has today reached another milestone as she celebrates her 100th birthday.

Shortly after the Second World War ended, Mary Gallagher signed up to join Coventry Police and spent the next 10 years helping to keep the peace across the city and caring for her communities.

WPC Mary Weir − her maiden name at the time − was a real forerunner in policing and it is believed that no more than 10 female officers had been sworn in by the time she joined the city's force in 1946.

Mary now lives in sheltered accommodation and the national lockdown means she can’t be with family on her big day, so her daughter Patricia asked if her former employers could help raise her spirits − and evoke memories from her policing past − by sending a happy birthday message.

And they did just that with Coventry Police Commander Mike O’Hara, recording a video message wishing her all the best (watch the video below).

During her 10 years of service, Mary was based at the police office in the old council house in St Mary’s Lane.

Coventry Police managed to unearth the two photos of Mary in her Coventry Police uniform; one being her headshot image and the other seeing her helping a group of schoolgirls cross the road while on her rounds.

Happy birthday Mary.

[dutchman]

I wonder where this picture was taken?


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