The material covers the period from c 1898 to c 1933.
The collection is very small. It comprises various materials assembled by Edith Thompson (1877-1961) relating to the management and administration of women's hockey during the early stages of its development as an organised sport played by women.
Edith Thompson was born in London in 1877. She attended Cheltenham Ladies' College, before enrolling at King's College London in 1895. During World War I she served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), before becoming Controller of Inspection of Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, formerly the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. For her work in this role she was mentioned in dispatches, awarded the OBE in 1919 and made CBE in 1920.
In World War II Edith worked at the headquarters of the Women's Land Army and then as a liaison officer to the Children's Overseas Reception Board in South Africa. She served on the Executive of the Society for the Overseas Settlement of British Women, the Council of Bedford College, University of London, and as a member of the International Federation of University Women. She was a municipal councillor of her home town of Aldeburgh, Suffolk, serving as mayor for eight years.
Edith played an important part in the early development of women's hockey in the UK and overseas. During her time at King's College, she captained the hockey team, establishing her sport's first weekly journal in 1901. She subsequently edited Hockey Field for nearly two decades. Always closely involved with the organisation and management of women's hockey at a county and territorial level, she became President of the All England Women's Hockey Association (AEWHA) in 1923, a position she held until 1929. She toured widely as manager of the England team, visiting Denmark, France, Germany, South Africa, and Australia between 1922 and 1930. In 1936 she travelled to the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations (IFWHA) conference and tournament in Philadelphia, USA.
In her book, Hockey as a Game for Women, published in 1904, Edith wrote; 'It is fortunately no longer necessary to speak apologetically of the girl who is fond of outdoor games. She is now a recognized personality of the twentieth century.' Her contributions and achievements greatly added to the status and popularity of hockey for women. She also positively influenced public perceptions of female sporting activity, helping to change attitudes and increase opportunities for participation.
SECTION A SCRAPBOOKS & ALBUMS A/1-A/4 c 1898-1930
This section contains a small number of scrapbooks and photograph albums compiled by Edith Thompson. They relate mainly to her role as manager of various All England Women's Hockey Association touring teams, but the earliest includes material associated with her career as a player at King's College London. The scrapbooks covering tours to Australia (1925) and South Africa (1930) offer insight into international hockey shortly before and after the foundation of the International Federation of Women's Hockey Associations in 1927.
The presentation is chronological.
SECTION B CORRESPONDENCE & PAPERS B/1-B/17 c 1912-c 1933
This section contains a small amount of miscellaneous correspondence, papers and press cuttings. The material is rather varied, but post-dates Edith's time as a player, relating mostly to her work as President of the All England Women's Hockey Association (1923-1929) and manager of the England touring team.
The presentation is chronological.
NOT ALL THE MATERIAL IN THIS COLLECTION MAY YET BE AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION. ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE TO:
THE ARCHIVIST
THE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF BATH
CLAVERTON DOWN
BATH BA2 7AY
The collection was donated to the Library by Mrs Alison Human, Edith Thompson's great niece, in April 2019.
For a pdf catalogue please click here .
None expected.
