Joan Salmon’s mother, Violet Cornwall – back row, 4th from right

Whilst the men were fighting overseas, many women were engaged in munitions work during WW1 and the mother of FiSH member, Joan Salmon, was one of the many who worked in a munitions factory.  The work was dangerous as, in addition to the risk of explosions, they worked with hazardous chemicals on a daily basis, usually without adequate protection.  Over time, exposure to the chemicals posed a major risk to the women’s health as they frequently caused a whole range serious and unpleasant side effects.