During The Great War, large numbers of women were recruited into many departments and military services for different kinds of jobs, some of these jobs were vacated by men who had gone to fight in the war. New jobs were also created as part of the war effort, for example in munitions factories. Over 400 women died by the end of war due to poor working conditions and inadequate safety equipment.

The high demand for weapons resulted in the munitions factories becoming the largest single employer of women during 1918. Though there was initial resistance to hiring women for what was seen as ‘men’s work’, the introduction of conscription in 1916 made the need for women workers urgent. Around this time, the government began coordinating the employment of women through campaigns and recruitment drives.

British women took on jobs in munitions factories, drove ambulances, helped to keep the fledgling Royal Air Force in the sky and gave succor to wounded soldiers, both at home and on the battlefield. Here below, bygonely has compiled a list of historic photos that show British women at work During World War I.