The Coming of the Camerons
The story of postwoman Jean Cameron
- Description
- Questions & Activities
- Clip Details
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Description
Follow Glen Clova postwoman Jean Cameron on her rounds (on bicycle).
The film explains the introduction of the "Camerons" - uniform trousers for post women (rather than skirts). They were named after Jean Cameron started the fashion by requesting trousers from Royal Mail instead of the regulation skirt.
Questions & Activities
Questions
- Why did Jean Cameron write to her employer?
- What roles do postwomen and postmen serve in rural communities?
- What do you think it was like running a post-office in a rural community during the Second World War?
- Would you have enjoyed Jean Cameron's post round?
Activities
Research the development of women's fashions and, in particular, how these changed for women who wanted to cycle.
Discuss the connections between work and clothing and gender and clothing.
Research and design a modern post uniform.
Make a short video about a woman or girl who has challenged the status quo.
Clip Details
| Resource Rights Holder | National Library of Scotland |
|---|---|
| Project Ref | 3828 |
| Date | 1944 |
| Genre | Amateur Documentary |
| School Subject | Literacy, Social Studies, History, Citizenship |
| Subject Matter | Cycling, postal worker, mail, Royal Mail, trousers, Fashion, Work, Women's Rights, Women |
| Who | Jean Cameron (subject), Frank M. Marshall (filmmaker) |
| Where | Glen Clova |
| Attributes | Colour, Silent |
| Clip Length | 10:17 |
| Film Length | 10:17 |
| References | Wearing the Trousers Jean Cameron's story at The Postal Museum https://www.postalmuseum.org/blog/wearing-the-trousers Cine Cycles: Women, Bicycles and a Sense of Freedom https://blog.nls.uk/cine-cycles-women-bicycles-and-a-sense-of-freedom |