Commemorative inkstand presented to George Baker, owner and manager, Kilnhurst Steelworks, 1918

Silver commemorative inkstand, with inscription recording its presentation to Mr George Baker, owner and manager of Kilnhurst Steelworks, Rotherham, Yorkshire, by the foremen and female workers of the works on 7 December 1918. Maker unknown, 1918

During the first world war the need for munitions was continual and urgent. George Baker responded to this need by reorganizing the works to produce as many shell forgings as possible. As well as finding and adapting presses of all kinds for their production, he overcame the acute shortage of male workers by employing women instead. This inspired artist Stanhope Forbes to paint his ‘The Munition Girls’ (Science Museum object number 1983-1433). At the end of the war the foremen and female workers clubbed together to present a fine commemorative silver inkstand to George Baker, symbolic of the spirit of teamwork he had built up.