I AM conducting historical research for a book based on the history of the Army audit pay and financial services during the First World War, in particular the female staff employed on a temporary basis during the conflict.

The command pay office was responsible for the finance and audit of accounts of Northern Command.

The role of women in white collared occupations during the First World War has been a neglected topic in the history of the period.

I should be grateful if any local historian can give me information about the shortage of accommodation for use by the Army pay department at York, which resulted in the War Office commandeering local municipal buildings, including swimming baths and schools, or places of entertainment, cinemas and music halls, for example.

Again, I should be interested if any local reader, or historian, has photographs relating to the staff or the buildings associated with the Army or command pay office at York, or has any historical information about Mrs Ada Leila Gray, who was a superintendent at the Army pay office and awarded an MBE in 1920 for her wartime services.

I would reimburse any postal expenses.

Dr John Black,

2 St Margaret's Drive,

Henleaze, Bristol. BS9 4LW.

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, February 16, 2005