A woman’s war: WAACS, WRNS and women’s work

Join us for an afternoon of talks focusing on women in the First World War.

Elisabeth Shipton will look at the voluntary organisations that preceded the WAAC, and focus on how perceptions of women changed in the two and a half years between the start of the war and the formation of the WAAC in 1917. Dr Samantha Philo-Gill will focus on the establishment of the Corps and explore the experiences of those who served in France – from enrolment to demobilisation.

Our First World War Diverse Histories Researcher, Louise Bell, will talk about the Women’s Royal Naval Service – from the formation of this ground breaking organisation to stories of the actual women who enrolled, utilising sources from The National Archives.

These talks will be accompanied by a document display of relevant original material held here at The National Archives.