British Women's Work During the Great War

A rare find - this is a never previously published manuscript taken from the department of printed books rare book collection in London''s Imperial War Museum. Originally written as a contribution to a book on the war service of women from the Allied Nations in the Great War, it has never see the light of day until now. The anonymous author tells how women sprang to work to help the national war effort as soon as hostilities began in 1914. The early contributions of women were confined to nursing services, caring for displaced Belgian and French and Serbian refugees and performing voluntary work to assist and care for wounded and needy servicemen. But as the war continued and the drain on manpower became ever more severe, the authorities were pressed to form women''s branches of the armed forces. As a result the Women''s Army Corps, the Women''s Royal Navy and the Women''s Royal Air Force were formed and gave invaluable service in their country''s hour of need. This history of women''s contribution comes with a reminder that women lost their lives in their country''s cause too: there are rolls of honour of the hundreds of British nurses and servicewomen who gave their lives. As such this document has a very great historical value and will be of value to anyone interested in the vital and varied role of women in the Great war.