Working long hours and night shifts, women who had never worked outside of the home before had to make major adjustments. Some had to make long journeys to and from work. Others had to work part-time so they could look after their children. The work was often dangerous and accidents were common, especially in the explosive industry. Women also had to face was the attitude of other workers and employers. Many men did not like working with women and most women were paid less than men - often only half - for doing the same work.

Women and the WVS

WVS- The Women's Voluntary Service (WVS) began in June 1938 to prepare women for civil defence work.

The WVS recruited women for Air Raid Precautions services (ARP). The WVS also ran field kitchens and rest centres for people made homeless by bombing; escorted children being evacuated; running clothing centres for those who had lost all their possessions; helping people salvage their personal belongings from bombed-out houses; and doing domestic work in hospitals and clinics. The WVS was also the official 'sock darner' for the Army - darning 38,000 pairs a week for British and American soldiers!

The women who joined the WVS were those who had their own domestic responsibilities, such as looking after children or relatives, and could not work in a factory. The WVS was a voluntary organisation and no one was paid wages or a salary. The women of the WVS even had to buy their own uniform - a grey-green tweed suit, red jumper and felt hat.

The women carried out vital war work, helping Britain to run as normal. The work could be dangerous and some members of the WVS were killed on duty. The WVS is still in existence today and is known as the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS).