During World War 1, thousands of Australian men departed overseas to fight for the freedom of our country; leaving the women at home to take on the extra roll of the men. Early on in the war, women started receiving news that the war was brutal and men were getting injured. Thousands of Australian women traveled overseas to help with the nursing on the physically and mentally wounded soldiers. These women were a part of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS). The Australian Government cared for women in the AANS, because the government didn’t want the women’s life at risk, like the men’s. This concluded in some mothers and fathers both being away which left them with having to look after the household as well as any other younger siblings. Other women who refused to travel overseas stayed at home
caring for their children and their house. They also knitted clothing and
blankets, the women were entirely sure what the living and weather conditions
were like for the men. Women made up packages of Tabaco and medicines that the
army failed to provide for the soldiers. Women back in Australia would help out with
recruiting, campaigns, fund raisers and charity work for the soldiers. Gradually
the women back in Australia drifted into the work force to replace the men at
war. Some women would have to take over the farm work to keep the farm working
and up and running, yet would be paid 18 shillings a week.
Working Conditions
More than 3,000 Australian civilian nurses volunteered for active service during the First World War. While enabling direct participation in the war effort, nursing also provided opportunities for independence and travel, sometimes with the hope of being closer to loved ones serving overseas.
The women worked in hospitals, on hospital ships and trains, or in casualty clearing stations closer to the front line. They served in locations from Britain to India, taking in France and Belgium, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The women mostly worked in ammunition factories having to handle with explosive chemicals which impacted on the womens health voilently.The women worked in very poor conditions as many of the chemicals such as sulphur would be spread around and there was no protections from the chemical.The women's skin would begin to consist in a yellow tinge,this effect would being to
damage the lungs of the women.Long hard hours of working willing in bomb shells with explosive and harmful chemicals was always a caution.
The women's work uniform was long selves
The women worked in hospitals, on hospital ships and trains, or in casualty clearing stations closer to the front line. They served in locations from Britain to India, taking in France and Belgium, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The women mostly worked in ammunition factories having to handle with explosive chemicals which impacted on the womens health voilently.The women worked in very poor conditions as many of the chemicals such as sulphur would be spread around and there was no protections from the chemical.The women's skin would begin to consist in a yellow tinge,this effect would being to
damage the lungs of the women.Long hard hours of working willing in bomb shells with explosive and harmful chemicals was always a caution.
The women's work uniform was long selves