Big Rachel

Big Rachel was originally from Ireland, but lived in Partick, Glasgow.

She worked as a labourer in the shipyards and as a forewoman navvy at a Brickworks and as a farm worker.

She was 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed around 17 stone.

She was sworn in as a special police constable during the Partick Riots in August 1875.

This was definitely non-traditional work for a woman in those times.