Women at War: British Women's Contribution to Victory 1939-1945

When war was declared in September 1939, Britain's women stepped forward in unprecedented numbers. By 1943, over 7.75 million women were in war work — comprising 46% of the total British workforce. Without them, Britain simply could not have fought the war.

The Women's Services

Over 640,000 women served in the armed forces through the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service), WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force), and WRNS (Women's Royal Naval Service). They operated anti-aircraft guns, decoded enemy signals, drove ambulances under fire, plotted submarine positions, and maintained aircraft.

Factory Workers

Millions of women worked in munitions factories, aircraft plants, and shipyards. They built Spitfires at Supermarine in Southampton, Lancaster bombers at Avro in Manchester, Merlin engines at Rolls-Royce in Glasgow, and millions of rounds of ammunition at Royal Ordnance factories across the country. The work was dangerous — thousands were injured or killed in industrial accidents and enemy bombing raids targeting factories.

The Land Girls

The Women's Land Army numbered over 80,000, replacing male farm workers who had gone to fight. They ploughed, planted, harvested, and kept Britain fed during the darkest days of the U-boat blockade, when the nation came perilously close to starvation.

Our Registry

The Immortal Regiment UK registry includes many women among its veterans — from nurses who landed in Normandy to radar operators who defended cities during the Blitz. Their stories deserve to be told alongside those of the men with whom they served.