成人快手

What were conditions like for women?

Illustrations of female World War One nurse, doctor, ambulance driver, WAAC worker

Women were not allowed to fight as soldiers in World War One. So they found other ways to help on the front line.

Conditions were dangerous for women travelling to the war zones. They were at risk from enemy fire.

Some worked as mechanics, cooks or doctors. After working long hours, they slept on uncomfortable camp beds and had to be up early for duty.

Women on the front line were very brave. For many this was the first time they had ever been away from Britain.

Illustrations of female World War One nurse, doctor, ambulance driver, WAAC worker
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Why did the Women鈥檚 Army Auxiliary Corps start?

By 1917 the Army was running short of men.

The War Office realised that some front line jobs which did not involve fighting were being done by men. They decided that women could do these jobs instead.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, Recruitment posters for the Womens Army Auxiliary Corps and Queen Marys Army Auxiliary Corps in World War One, Volunteers joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) They wore green or 'khaki' uniforms: a small cap, jacket and skirt. They exercised every day, taking part in Morris dancing and hockey to keep fit. The WAAC was later known as later known as Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps.
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Heroic women

Marie Curie in her laboratory in 1912
Image caption,
Marie Curie in her laboratory in 1912.

Some women became famous for the way they helped soldiers.

  • Flora Sandes joined the St John Ambulance service. In the confusion of war she was enrolled in the Serbian army. She was the only British woman to officially serve as a soldier in World War One. She became a Sergeant Major.
  • Gabrielle Petit from Belgium was one of the first female spies. She gathered information about the Germans for the British Secret Service.

Other women became heroes for their work in medical roles.

Marie Curie in her laboratory in 1912
Image caption,
Marie Curie in her laboratory in 1912.
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Medicine and first aid

Before war broke out there were only approximately 200 female doctors.

A shortage of trained medical staff during World War One gave opportunities for women to take a wide range of crucial roles.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 6, A World War One nurse serving tea to wounded British soldiers beside a railway carriage, Women went to France as Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurses They cared for the wounded and sick in 'rest stations', where soldiers had a few days to recover, and in convalescent homes, where they could stay until they were as well as possible.
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How did life change for women?

At first some women saw the front line of war as an adventure. They quickly realised the reality was harder and sadder than the stories they had read.

Women learnt new skills. Some worked as doctors, mechanics and in other jobs which would have been unthinkable before the war.

Like women at home they had tasted independence and didn't want it to end.

A woman at work in an armaments factory during World War One
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Activities

Activity 1: Quiz 鈥 Women's jobs in World War One

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Activity 2: History Explorer game

Play this game to test your knowledge and learn even more facts about World War One.

History Explorer: Secrets through time

History Explorer: Secrets through time: KS2 History

History Explorer: Secrets through time
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Bitesize Primary games. game

Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
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