History – Women at War! Life on the Homefront WWI & WWII (1915-1945)

COURSE OVERVIEW

We study how women coped admirably in both World War One and Two and how it changed their lives. From being housewives and mothers they became independent women working and looking after their homes and taking on important war work.

Daily life was turned upside-down, but the fighting spirit shone through! We view domestic, social and working life on the home front -; rationing, shelters, factory work and more. Also included are readings from WWI & II diaries of women, such as Nella Last -; warm, witty, courageous, charming and funny as well as heart-breaking in parts. Women displayed their ingenuity and inventiveness. Nurses writing home from overseas or who were stationed in Britain give us a touching insight into the lives of men and women during this period.

When men went to war women went to work. They took on what had been seen as hard and heavy work in factories, on farms, driving buses, in the armed services, as pilots, doctors, nurses, typists, spies, in the Land Army and in the WRVS and other voluntary organisations, as well as being housewives and mothers. At home during war and after, women had to cope with rationing and learning to ‘make do and mend’; while attempting to remain glamorous, keeping up with fashion and cosmetics.

When men returned from war women returned to the home they had not really left, no longer allowed to carry on with jobs for which they were highly trained, such as Ruby the welder.

Illustrated with books, slides, video

N.B. History courses may contain outdated attitudes, cultural depictions and language which cause offence today. They have to be viewed from an historic perspective. When discussing the content these views are not those of the tutor.

Tutor Sarah Tobias. This course runs on a Tuesday 1600-1800