WOMEN'S WAR WORK

                                                         In Wolverton



Before the war the majority of married women, did not go out to work. The war changed this. Huge numbers of men were ordered by the government to serve in the armed forces. So women went out to work - most for the first time. Many did work which women had never done before, such as building ships and driving buses.

In 1941, the government decided to call up all women between the ages of 18 and 50. Only mothers with young children under the age of 14 were exempt from war work.

Women in various occupations being interviewed about their views on the new conscription for women, and talking about the kind of war work they want to do.

   One Woman          : I want to help build Spitfires as my boy's in the RAF and I'd feel I was helping him.
   Shop Worker1       : I want to join the services because it's the uniform that appeals.
   Shop Worker2       : I would like to work in a munitions factory, I would like to make one big bomb so as
                                    to polish off that there man.
   Shop Worker3      : I would like to join the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) as there is plenty of variety and who knows, I might meet a Sergeant Major".
   Shop Worker4       : I want to join the services "because it's the uniform that appeals".
   Young hairdresser : I will be joining the Women's Land Army.
   Customer               : Who will do my hair?
   Young hairdresser : "I suggest you wear it straight, like Hitler's!"

Women did jobs such as driving buses, loading trains, working in factories and delivering the post and milk. Many trained as machine operators or fitters. They learned to weld metal, to make parts for weapons and to assemble shells, tanks, aircraft and ships.They did jobs in the following industries:

Auxiliary Territorial Service(ATS)
In Air and Sea(WAAF and WRNs)
Land Army
Women's Vountary Service(WVS)
Wolverton Coach Works
Medical Services


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