Women on the Homefront
Throughout the course of the war, women proved to play a crucial role in the British war efforts. Helping with farming, protection from air raids, and various other tasks and jobs needed to support the war, British women stepped up to support their country.
In the 1930's, women were thought to have no place in the workforce and were expected to stay at home and care for the children and take on household chores. Women that did choose to work were paid lower wages than men and were not held as highly as working men. When men left for war in WWII, the expectations for women shifted as they took on jobs to replace the soldiers leaving the workforce to fight. By the end of the war, 90% of women were working and made up one third of the metal and shipbuilding industries.
In the 1930's, women were thought to have no place in the workforce and were expected to stay at home and care for the children and take on household chores. Women that did choose to work were paid lower wages than men and were not held as highly as working men. When men left for war in WWII, the expectations for women shifted as they took on jobs to replace the soldiers leaving the workforce to fight. By the end of the war, 90% of women were working and made up one third of the metal and shipbuilding industries.
volUnteer organizations
Many women's volunteer organizations popped up during WWII to support British society and replace jobs normally done by men.
Highlighted here are a few key organizations with a large impact on the war effort.
Highlighted here are a few key organizations with a large impact on the war effort.
Women's Land ARmy
This civilian organization played an important role in maintaining Britain's food supply during the German U-Boat attacks. The WLA was originally founded during WWI to make up for the loss of farmers that went to war. During WWII, the WLA was reestablished and had over 90,000 volunteers. The origination proved particularly helpful during the German U-Boat attacks because they helped to decrease British dependency on agricultural imports. Because more food could be grown on the home front, less food needed to be imported and, therefore, prevented Britain from being "starved out."
Auxiliary Territory Service
Formed in 1938, the ATS was, in essence, a military support group. The Emergency Services, First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, And the Women's Legion made up the ATS. Claiming to be a non-combat group, the ATS did many different tasks to aid the military such as operating searchlights and anti-aircraft guns (although they were not allowed to fire them), Driving vehicles, and other clerical tasks.
By 1940, the ATS had over 34,000 volunteers.
By 1940, the ATS had over 34,000 volunteers.
Other ORganizations
Many other organizations such as the Women's Voluntary Service, the Women's Royal Naval Service, and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force helped to support the war effort as well.
Conscription
Although there were many women volunteers, the British government decided in 1940 that they needed to conscript women as well. In Spring of 1941, all women aged 18-60 had to register. Eligible women were interviewed and required to pick a job that they felt suited their strengths. In December of 1941, the National Service Act no. 2 was passed, officially legalizing women's conscription.