Vera Laughton Mathews facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dame Vera Laughton Mathews
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| Born |
Elvira Sibyl Marie Laughton
25 September 1888 Hammersmith, London
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| Died | 25 September 1959 (aged 71) Ashley Gardens, London
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
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Branch
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Women's Royal Naval Service |
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Rank
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Director |
| Commands | Women's Royal Naval Service (1939–46) |
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Conflicts
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First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1942) Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1945) |
| Relations | Sir John Knox Laughton (father) |
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Dame Vera Laughton Mathews (born Elvira Sibyl Marie Laughton on September 25, 1888 – died September 25, 1959) was a very important British military leader. She is best known for being the second Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS). She led this group from when it started again in 1939 until 1946, during World War II.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Vera Laughton Mathews was born in Hammersmith, London, on September 25, 1888. Her father was Sir John Knox Laughton, and her mother was María Josefa de Alberti from Cadiz, Spain. Vera had three brothers and one sister.
She went to Catholic schools, including the Convent of St Andrew in Streatham and a school in Tournai, Belgium. Later, she studied at King's College London. In 1924, Vera Laughton married Gordon Mathews. They had two sons and one daughter.
Vera Laughton Mathews joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) when it was first created in 1918. She quickly became a principal officer, which was like a Royal Navy lieutenant commander.
She worked at the WRNS training center in The Crystal Palace in south London. After World War I ended in 1918, the WRNS was temporarily closed down. Vera then served in other roles along the east coast of Britain before leaving the service in 1919.
World War II Leadership
When the WRNS was restarted in 1939, Vera Laughton Mathews was chosen to be its Director. This was a very important job during World War II. She led the WRNS until 1946, helping many women serve their country.
A charity called the Vera Laughton Mathews' Award was later set up in 1969. It aimed to help with the education and training of daughters of former WRNS members. This charity was active until 2012.
Fighting for Women's Rights
When she was young, Vera Laughton Mathews joined the WSPU. This group worked to get women the right to vote. In 1911, she also joined the Catholic Women's Suffrage Society, which later became the St Joan's Social and Political Alliance. She was the leader of this Alliance from 1932 to 1939.
Work in Journalism
In 1914, Vera became the acting Editor of The Suffragette magazine. This magazine was important for sharing news about the women's suffrage movement. She also worked for Time and Tide magazine, which was started in 1920 by Lady Rhondda.
After the War
After she retired from the WRNS, Dame Vera continued to work for her country. The government asked her to join several important committees. From 1947 to 1950, she led the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council.
She was also the first woman to work in the management of the gas industry. She was a member of the South-Eastern Gas Board from 1949 to 1959. She also advised the National Gas Council on matters related to women. In 1958, she became the President of the British Federation of Business and Professional Women.
Autobiography
Vera Laughton Mathews wrote a book about her life called Blue Tapestry. It was published in London in 1948.
