As millions of young men marched off to war, they left behind mothers, wives and sisters who were determined to contribute to the British cause. They were first enrolled as nurses to treat wounded soldiers. Later in the war they were accepted into the armed services. This book looks at the realities and myths of the women's role in the war effort.

The First World War brought about 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 to help. As increasing numbers of men left to serve overseas, their duties were taken over by women, who took jobs as postal workers, tram clippies, delivery drivers, land workers and others. Then there were the famous'Munitionettes', the women who worked long hours in ammunition and military hardware factories. Women also joined auxiliary military units, such as the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and acted as nurses near the front line. Told through historical documents, memoirs, photographs, uniforms and ephemera, the authors present a study of this turning point in British social history.