ONE of Coventry’s pioneering first female police officers today (Monday February 8) celebrates her 100th birthday.
Mary Gallagher joined Coventry Police a year after the Second World War ended and was employed by the force for 10 years. She was based at the police office in the old council house in St Mary ’s Lane.
In honour of Mary’s special day, city officers have changed the Coventry Police’s twitter banner to photos of Mary’s time in the force and teamed up with her family to pass on their best wishes.
The two photos on Twitter show Mary in her Coventry Police uniform and helping a group of schoolgirls cross the road while on duty.
A spokesperson for Coventry Police said: “WPC Mary Weir − her maiden name at the time − was a real forerunner in policing and one of the first female officers in Coventry.
“We’ve delved back into our archives and believe no more than 10 WPCs had been sworn in by the time she joined us in 1946. And we’re pretty confident she’s the first to reach the amazing milestone of 100 years old!”
“Mary now lives in sheltered accommodation. Covid means she can’t be with family on her big day so her daughter Patricia asked if we could help raise her spirits − and evoke memories from her policing past − by sending a Happy Birthday messaage.
“We were delighted to play our part and recorded a video message from Coventry Police Commander Mike O’Hara wishing her all the best.”
Coventry Police Commander Mike O’Hara
