Women of Service [the porter]

One of a series of eight posters by Harold Freedman commissioned by the Victorian Railways soon after the Second World War. Issued to highlight the contribution of its staff, who kept the railway operational during wartime, to the war effort as many did not have 'returned servicemen' status. The series depicts male and female civilian railway workers via heroic three quarter length portraits doing their job. This poster (No.245) features the porter holding a lantern above her head. This design was the only one ion the series to feature a female employee of the Victorian Railways. It is evidence of the changing social and economic role of women during wartime. Women were encouraged to enlist for military service for the first time and in urban areas took on employment in many industries previously only open to men. This new freedom, to enter the workforce, was one that many women were reluctant to give up once the war had finished.

The series bears a striking similarities to a 1944 series created by Eric Kenning ton for London Transport (LT) during the Second World War. Titled ' Seeing it through' this series combined portraits of male and female LT workers with text by poet A.P. Herbert to celebrate LT's contribution to the war effort.