Women in the First World War

by Neil R. Storey, Molly Housego

The First World War was the conduit for some of the most dramatic changes in the role of women in British society. Suffragettes gave up their militant protests to support the war effort, and from the moment war broke out women were ready; many had already trained as military and Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses. As more and more men left to serve in the armed forces more and more jobs, most of them pre-war preserves of men, were taken over by women, from postal deliveries to tram clippies, and delivery drivers to land workers.

The public outcry over the 'Shells Scandal' of 1915 led to unprecedented pressure to employ more women. The women were willing and 30,000 of them voiced their demand in one of the largest protest marches through London under the banner of 'We demand the right to serve.' And so they did, as the munitions factories expanded, and by the end of the war new military units such as the WAAC, WReNS and WRAF were created.

Told through historical documents, memoirs, photographs, uniforms and ephemera the authors present a study in empathy of those dramatic times, from women serving as nurses both at home and on the frontlines, to serving in weapons and other factories throughout Britain, to the uniforms and legacies of these brave volunteers.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

A graduate of the University of East Anglia, Neil R. Storey is a professional historian and lecturer specialising in the study of the impact of war on British society in the first half of the 20th century.

Neil R. Storey is an award-winning social historian specialising in the impact of the First and Second World Wars on British society. He also has a long-standing interest in gothic horror, is the creator of the popular 'Grim Almanac' series published by History Press, and has published numerous works on dark history. He has been in publication since 1989 and now has a canon of over 50 books and has had great reviews in The Times and Daily Mail. A graduate of University of East Anglia he guest lectures for both academic and social audiences across the UK and internationally. He has written countless articles for national periodicals and frequently appears as a guest expert on factual television and radio programmes such as: Who Do You Think You Are?, Classified Britain, The Buildings that Fought Hitler, and Help! My House is Haunted.

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I was quite disappointed with this. Normally I think Shire books are a higher quality. This book was full of great illustrations from the period. Women active in a variety of roles, but the text was very simplistic and dry. The book outlined the different areas that women worked in nurses, factories, land work and military. But there was no real analysis of how this may have effect them personally or socially. This was social history with the social history missing. The book said how women in the war became independent and " could wear trousers" but then how the women were all happy to give up that independence and become house wives when the men returned. Which felt like a massive over generalisation. Quite pretty pictures but not really one I'd recommend for learning.

[Lisa Naaraat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty broad covering of the areas British women were taking part in, and the struggles they went through to get there. However, it does portray really only the good parts and tones down any anti-war sentiment, or anything particularly atrocious. Also implies that all the women were perfectly happy to give back the jobs to the men after the war.

Covers the British voting rights a bit but still doesn't really go into any of the social changes because of the war.

[Bilqis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice small volume that covers the major jobs that the women of Britain held during WWI. I bought it quite a while ago at the Imperial War Museum and finally got around to reading it. It is a little dry and saccharine, but still interesting nonetheless.

I gave it 3 stars and look forward to reading the more in-depth books I have on the subject.

[Dionne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short overview of the part women played in World War I and how it advanced women's rights and freedoms as a result.