Women in the Second World War (Paperback) - Neil R. Storey

Without the millions of women behind the lines, and behind the scenes on the home front the Second Word War could not have been won. This is the story of these women, from pilots to factory workers and members of the WI.

The Second World War affected the people of Britain like nothing before. This was especially true of Britain's women. With thousands of men called up to join the armed forces, women took their place in the workforce, employed in the new jobs created to supply and maintain the war effort. When the working day was finished, women also served in Civil Defence and a vast array of other organisations and coped with the hardships of bombing, rationing and the separation of families. From 1941, women were subject to conscription, being directed to employment in the industries where they were most needed or into uniformed services such as the Women's Royal Naval Service ('the Wrens'), the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) or the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) or in agriculture as part of the Women's Land Army. By 1943 almost 90 per cent of single women and 80 per cent of married women were employed in essential work for the war effort. This book is part of the Britain's Heritage series, which provides definitive introductions to the riches of Britain's past, and is the perfect way to get acquainted with the women of the Second World War in all their variety.

About the Author

Neil R. Storey is an award-winning social historian specialising in the study of the impact of war on British society in the first half of the 20th century. He has been writing since the late 1980s on topographical, military and crime history themes. He has written features for local and national magazines and journals as well as several books on the First and Second World Wars. Fiona Kay is a born and bred Geordie girl and proud of it. She lives in Northumberland and has known the county all her life. Fiona has had a life-long interest in the First World War, is a researcher with a keen eye and a real feel for subject (she has worked on the award winning King's Men project for Sandringham, Edith Cavell centenary project and Somme 100) and has co-authored Newcastle Battalions on the Somme with Neil R. Storey (Tyne Bridge 2016).