Women in the factories.
By Spring 1915 the supply of shells began to run short, and it became clear that those who had joined the army would have been better employed at making the ammunition than firing it. There were huge gaps in factory, shipyard, field and mine. New workers were needed if the war effort was to run efficiently, and women were the answer. The great ' reserve army' of labour.
In the early months, working-class women only filled gaps in 'suitable' trades - shoemaking, baking , printing but when the labour shortages became smaller, they were sent to work in munitions factories.Some of the most important done by women was in the ammunition factories. With the young men away fighting, this vital work was done by women. It was very dangerous. Working with explosive chemicals meant that one explosion in a factory could trigger off many other ones. Also the protective clothing of today did not really exist then. The munition girls worked with sulphur. There was no protection from this dangerous chemical and the women who worked with sulphur found that their exposed skin turned yellow as the chemical impregnated itself into any exposed skin. Therefore, your face and hands could take on a yellow tinge. Ironically when the war ended in November 1918, and the soldiers returned from Europe, these ladies were dismissed from their job and replaced by those men who had been serving soldiers. The evidence suggests that this did not cause irritation among the women as the soldiers had fought for their country and were honoured.
In the early months, working-class women only filled gaps in 'suitable' trades - shoemaking, baking , printing but when the labour shortages became smaller, they were sent to work in munitions factories.Some of the most important done by women was in the ammunition factories. With the young men away fighting, this vital work was done by women. It was very dangerous. Working with explosive chemicals meant that one explosion in a factory could trigger off many other ones. Also the protective clothing of today did not really exist then. The munition girls worked with sulphur. There was no protection from this dangerous chemical and the women who worked with sulphur found that their exposed skin turned yellow as the chemical impregnated itself into any exposed skin. Therefore, your face and hands could take on a yellow tinge. Ironically when the war ended in November 1918, and the soldiers returned from Europe, these ladies were dismissed from their job and replaced by those men who had been serving soldiers. The evidence suggests that this did not cause irritation among the women as the soldiers had fought for their country and were honoured.