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Told through historical documents, memoirs, photographs, uniforms and ephemera the authors present a study in empathy of those dramatic times, from women serving as nurses both at home and on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.

Women in the First World War (Shire Library, 575)

History

Storey, Neil R.

Housego, Molly

Europe

Shire Publications

When the winds of war blew for a second time the women of Britain answered the call. Many of the first to volunteer had served in World War I, and now they offered their services again, bringing their daughters with them. During World War II, women proved themselves indispensable to the war effort, serving in both military uniformed units abroad and in home front organizations through the darkest hours of the Blitz. Illustrated with contemporary black and white and some rare color photographs, documents and ephemera, this poignant and moving book tells the stories of these women in their own words.

Women in the Second World War (Shire Library)

Storey, Neil

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Shire

The Women's Suffrage Movement is an overview of the struggle for women to gain the vote in Great Britain and explores who the women were that formed and led or became members of the women's suffrage movement; explains their motives and what the press and other women thought of them. Early campaigners and pressure groups in the nineteenth century led to the formation of National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies in 1897; many women within this group became increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in their campaign to win the vote and, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, they broke away and formed the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903. Their cause was not to be ignored and increasingly militant protests followed, disrupting political meetings and public events, damaging and setting fire to buildings even including churches, and chaining themselves to railing. Famously and tragically, Emily Wilding Davison's attempt to make a protest left her mortally wounded by the King's Horse at the Epsom Derby in 1913. In 1914 the WSPU suspended militant action so as to 'do their bit' during the First World War and by 1918 women were taking the place of working men at home and were serving in uniform and as a result the first women were granted the vote in 1918. Based on contemporary accounts, documents, ephemera and photographs this is a very useful condensed history suitable for family historians, students and anyone interested in social history.

The Women's Suffrage Movement (Shire Library)

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