Women in Civil Defence



Some 375 000 women members, whose jobs included: air-raid warden; ambulance drivers; manning first-aid posts and fire women.


A female Air Raid
Warden

Sonia Straw, 19, receives the George Medal

Women ARP demolition workers cleaning bricks

Girls of the ARP 'Bike Wheel' Brigade, Clapham

A woman member of the Auxiliary Fire Service

Many women wanted to join the Home Guard, but it was not until April 1943 that they were 'officially' allowed to join although in a non-combatant role. Prior to this a number of 'Women's Home Defence Leagues' were formed, sometimes referred to as 'amazons'.


Members of the 'Women's Home Defence League'

Copyright © 2002 Peter N. Risbey.