About this item
Long before the outbreak of World War II, official calculations showed Britain would be short of the manpower needed to fight the enemy and keep up production of weapons, food, and other essentials. It was hoped that women volunteers would fill the gaps and so they volunteered as workers in Civil Defence, the Women's Land Army, munitions factories, and non-combatant roles in the Forces. But by 1941, the government had to face facts: any effective response would have to involve conscription of British women. All females between the ages of14 and64 were registered, and soon the vast majority had work to do. They collected tons of salvage, knitted and sewed, and raised money for warships and weapons. Women ran fire stations and drove makeshift ambulances while cities burned and enemy bombs exploded around them.
About the Author
Carol Harris in an historian who writes about things that interest her. Her books feature life in Britain during WW1 and WW2, vintage fashion and women's history. Born in London, she grew up in Clacton-On-Sea in Essex but moved back to the city as a teenager to train as a reporter. She continues to work as a journalist, writing and editing mainly on health and social care. With her husband, the author Mike Brown, Carol Harris lives in a house in London they rebuilt and restored in the style of the 1930s. It is also home to their archives and various collections of costume, artefacts and ephemera. As well as writing books and articles, Carol Harris gives talks, works for various broadcasters and is currently an interaction volunteer at the Imperial War Museum's London branches. Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CarolMikeHarris?ref=hl
