Jenny Pike

Jenny Whitehead Pike (July 23, 1922 – April 19, 2004) was a Canadian photographer and servicewoman. She worked in London during WWII, and was the only female photographer to help develop the first photos of the D-Day landings. After the war, she worked as a darkroom technician for the police in Victoria, British Columbia.

Jenny Pike
Born(1922-07-23)July 23, 1922
Winnipeg, Manitoba
DiedApril 19, 2004(2004-04-19) (aged 81)
NationalityCanadian
OccupationPhotographer, WWII navy servicewoman, darkroom technician

Early life

Pike was born July 23, 1922[1] in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She had three siblings. She was the youngest.[2] As a child, Pike enjoyed assisting her older brother in his photography lab, and when she was older she found a job in the photography department of Eaton's.[3] Eaton's was a department store.[2]

Career and marriage

In early 1943, Pike offered her services as a photographer to the Royal Canadian Navy, and in February she was accepted as a probationary recruit in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Her father supported her and helped her write letters to apply for the job. His act of support was not the norm at the time. In August, Pike took a photography training course in Ottawa, and was one of only seven female recruits in the class.[3]

In February 1944, Pike was sent to London, England. When the D-Day invasions began, Pike helped develop the first incoming photos from the D-Day landings. She was the only female photographer in the darkroom team.[3]

After the war, Pike married Donovan Pike, a childhood friend and navy officer. They lived in Victoria, British Columbia, and the couple had two children. Pike was a member of the Winnipeg Royal Canadian Legion in the late 1940s, and later joined the Ex-Service Women's Branch 182 in Victoria.[3]

"Jenny was so proud to have served her country," recalls Barbara Fosdick, current President of Ex-Service Women's Branch 182.[2]

In 1969, Pike started working for the Victoria City Police Identification Unit as a darkroom technician, finally retiring in 1983. She continued taking pictures as an amateur photographer for many years afterwards.[3][1]

Death

She died on April 19, 2004.[1][4]

References
  1. "Jenny PIKE's Obituary on The Times Colonist". The Times Colonist. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  2. "Jenny Pike". CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum. 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2018-04-01.
  3. "Jenny Pike". CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum. 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  4. "CMPA Central Chapter Death List Page". www.cmpacentral.bowerman.ca. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
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