Meriel Talbot
Encyclopedia
Dame Meriel Lucy Talbot DBE
(16 June 1866 – 15 December 1956) was a British
public servant and women's welfare worker.
She was born in Westminster
, the daughter of the politician John Gilbert Talbot
and his wife, Meriel Sarah, daughter of George Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton
. She was educated at Kensington High School. From 1901 to 1916 she served as secretary to the Victoria League, and in this capacity travelled widely throughout the British Empire
.
In 1915 she served on the official advisory committee for the repatriation of enemy alien
s. In 1916 she was appointed the first woman inspector with the Board of Agriculture and in 1917 she became director of the Women's Branch of the Board, in charge of the recruitment and co-ordination of the Women's Land Army
. She stayed at the new Ministry of Agriculture
after the First World War, becoming adviser on women's employment in 1920.
She retired in 1921, but continued to perform public work, serving as intelligence officer for the Overseas Settlement Department and on a number of official committees, including the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure in 1929. In the 1930s she became chairman of the BBC
Central Appeals Advisory Committee. From 1935 to 1951 she was chairman of the London Council for the Welfare of Women and Girls.
For her work with the Board of Agriculture she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire
(OBE) in 1917, and promoted to Commander (CBE) in 1918 and Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(16 June 1866 – 15 December 1956) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
public servant and women's welfare worker.
She was born in Westminster
Westminster
Westminster is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster, England. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, southwest of the City of London and southwest of Charing Cross...
, the daughter of the politician John Gilbert Talbot
John Gilbert Talbot
John Gilbert Talbot PC , was a British Conservative Party politician.-Background:Talbot was the son of the Honourable John Chetwynd-Talbot, fourth son of Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot...
and his wife, Meriel Sarah, daughter of George Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton
George Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton
George William Lyttelton, 4th Baron Lyttelton , was a British aristocrat and Conservative politician.-Early life:...
. She was educated at Kensington High School. From 1901 to 1916 she served as secretary to the Victoria League, and in this capacity travelled widely throughout the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
In 1915 she served on the official advisory committee for the repatriation of enemy alien
Enemy alien
In law, an enemy alien is a citizen of a country which is in a state of conflict with the land in which he or she is located. Usually, but not always, the countries are in a state of declared war.-United Kingdom:...
s. In 1916 she was appointed the first woman inspector with the Board of Agriculture and in 1917 she became director of the Women's Branch of the Board, in charge of the recruitment and co-ordination of the Women's Land Army
Women's Land Army
The Women's Land Army was a British civilian organisation created during the First and Second World Wars to work in agriculture replacing men called up to the military. Women who worked for the WLA were commonly known as Land Girls...
. She stayed at the new Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was a United Kingdom government department created by the Board of Agriculture Act 1889 and at that time called the Board of Agriculture, and then from 1903 the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and from 1919 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries...
after the First World War, becoming adviser on women's employment in 1920.
She retired in 1921, but continued to perform public work, serving as intelligence officer for the Overseas Settlement Department and on a number of official committees, including the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure in 1929. In the 1930s she became chairman of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Central Appeals Advisory Committee. From 1935 to 1951 she was chairman of the London Council for the Welfare of Women and Girls.
For her work with the Board of Agriculture she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(OBE) in 1917, and promoted to Commander (CBE) in 1918 and Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1920 civilian war honours.