Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > South Lambeth
Old women picking oakum in a Casual Ward
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Old women picking oakum in a Casual Ward
The womens casual ward (vagrants ward) of a workhouse, thought to be at Lambeth, south London. Three women in workhouse uniform sit on benches. One is picking oakum - teasing lumps of old rope apart into their raw fibres. A heap of picked oakum is at her feet. The two other women are sleeping. An overhead rack stores their own clothes
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4464349
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10415954
Benches Casual Elderly Fibres Heap Inmates L Aw Lambeth Legislation Over Head Pauper Paupers Picked Picking Poor Poverty Rack Rope Sleeping Vagrant Vagrants Ward Workhouse Workhouses 1907 Oakum
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Boroughs
> Lambeth
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Lambeth
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> South Lambeth
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures a moment in the harsh reality of life for elderly women in a Casual Ward of a workhouse in South London, thought to be at Lambeth, around the year 1907. Three women, dressed in their workhouse uniforms, are depicted in the image. One woman is intently focused on the task of picking oakum - carefully teasing apart lumps of old rope into their raw fibers, creating a heap of picked oakum at her feet. The monotonous and laborious process of oakum picking was a common form of work assigned to paupers in workhouses, providing coarse fiber for use in caulking ships or stuffing mattresses. The two other women in the photograph appear to be taking a brief respite from their daily toils, sleeping on the benches. The overhead rack storing their own clothes serves as a poignant reminder of their transient living situation. The image offers a glimpse into the grim conditions faced by elderly women in the Casual Ward, a vagrants ward for those who were unable to support themselves. The passage of time and the harsh living conditions are etched on the faces of these women, reflecting the hardships and struggles of poverty in urban areas during the Edwardian era. The legislation that forced the poor into workhouses, such as the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, contributed to the creation of these institutions, which were intended to provide care for the destitute but often resulted in inhumane living conditions. This photograph offers a poignant reminder of a dark chapter in history, shedding light on the experiences of the most vulnerable members of society during a time of great social and economic change.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
