It was rather of a relief when I found these photos to realise that 1940s women didn’t all look as impossibly movie-star-ish as we tend to think. Far from the easy ‘glamour on a shoe-string‘ that we read about so often, these photos show the hard-working ordinary women of wartime Britain during their daily lives. And don’t they look refreshingly normal?
Above: A draughtswoman at work on a drawing of a 25-pounder gun, 1942.
Miss M Greatorex, a war worker involved in the manufacture of 17-pounder anti-tank guns, 1943.
Mrs C Graham, a war worker involved in the manufacture of 17-pdr anti-tank guns, 1943.
Woman war worker milling breech blocks for Sten Guns in Britain, 1943.
The Auxiliary Territorial Service in Britain during the Second World War A voluntary domestic science course for service women based in the London area, organised by the London District of the Army Education Scheme, with the co-operation of the London County Council, at Avondale Park School, Notting Hill Gate, London. In this picture Private Margaret Jones learns the correct way to distemper a room.
Head and shoulders portrait of Mrs Chaulkey, a war worker in Britain, 1943.
The Auxiliary Territorial Service in Britain during the Second World War
A voluntary domestic science course for service women based in the London area, organised by the London District of the Army Education Scheme, with the co-operation of the London County Council, at Avondale Park School, Notting Hill Gate, London. In this picture Corporal Jean Russel using a mangle during the course.
Image source and copyright: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, This artistic work created by the United Kingdom Government is in the public domain.
Like to see a tie on a woman, (milling pic). Keep meaning to take some home from the shop, reminded me again!! Thanks helene@revivalvintage