Jenny Pike facts for kids

Jenny Pike (born Whitehead; July 23, 1922 – April 19, 2004) was a brave Canadian photographer and a servicewoman. She worked in London during World War II. Jenny was the only female photographer who helped develop the very first pictures of the important D-Day landings. After the war, she used her skills as a darkroom technician for the police in Victoria, British Columbia.

Jenny's Early Life

Jenny Whitehead was born on July 23, 1922, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She had three older brothers and sisters. Jenny found her love for photography when she was a child. By the age of eleven, she already knew how to develop film. She really enjoyed helping her older brother in his photography lab. Later, she got a job in the photography department at Eaton's, a big store.

Serving in the Navy and War Photography

In early 1943, Jenny Whitehead decided to offer her photography skills to the Royal Canadian Navy. In February, she was accepted as a new recruit in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Her father was very supportive and even helped her write letters to apply for the job. This kind of support was not common for girls at that time.

In August, Jenny took a special photography training course in Ottawa. She was one of only seven female recruits in her class. This showed how special her skills were.

D-Day and Her Important Role

In February 1944, Jenny was sent to London, England. This was a very important time during World War II. When the D-Day invasions began, Jenny had a crucial job. She helped develop the first pictures that came in from the D-Day landings. These photos were extremely important for the war effort. Jenny was the only female photographer working in that darkroom team.

She returned home to Canada in April 1945. In January 1946, she was honorably discharged from the navy. She had reached the rank of petty officer, which is a non-commissioned officer in the navy.

After the War and Later Career

After the war, Jenny Whitehead married Donovan Pike. He was a childhood friend and also a navy officer. They made their home in Victoria, British Columbia. The couple had two children together. Jenny Pike was an active member of the Winnipeg Royal Canadian Legion in the late 1940s. Later, she joined the Ex-Service Women's Branch 182 in Victoria.

In 1969, Jenny Pike started a new job. She worked for the Victoria City Police Identification Unit as a darkroom technician. A darkroom technician develops photos and helps with police investigations. She retired from this job in 1983. Even after retiring, she kept taking pictures as a hobby for many years.

In the early 1980s, Jenny Pike also worked on a film called The Glitter Dome. She was part of the film crew, helping with photography. She even appeared in the movie as an extra!

Later Years and Passing

Jenny Pike passed away on April 19, 2004.