When the First World War broke out in 1914, many men were sent into battle to halt the advances of the Central Powers. This meant that the women were sent to work in factories to support the war effort, and this was especially true in the recently industrialized United Kingdom.
Furthermore, women took over roles as transit workers, police, bank tellers, and firefighters in addition to being the presence on factory floors producing artillery shells, gas masks, tanks, ships, planes, mines, and various munitions.
They were exposed to strenuous, difficult, and hazardous conditions. For instance, women in munitions factories had their skin turn yellow from regular exposure to TNT, and many, in fact, died from their exposure to this and other deadly chemicals.
Sadly, British women participating in the war effort were paid less than their male counterparts in equivalent roles, and many of them were fired post-1918 when war veterans began to return home from the front lines. Take a look at these photos capturing a difficult, yet significant era for humanity:
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
Source: University of British Columbia Library
