Woman police officer Annie Matthews (nickname Big Ben), on duty at the children's lido in Hyde Park, London. Before joining the Met Police, Annie worked as a housemaid at Glamis Castle in Scotland. She joined the force in July 1919, but left in July 1922 during the period of the so-called Geddes Axe, when the government of the day reduced the number of policewomen from 112 to 20. However she rejoined in December 1922 and continued to serve until December 1949.