Feeding Tommy

From Woman’s Weekly, 3rd August 1918.

HOW I HELPED TO FEED TOMMY.

All About the Work and Pay of the Girl Who Joins under the Navy and Army Canteen Board.

HERE I am home again after a year's war work.  I have just got my seven days’ leave.  I have had—oh, such an interesting time!  I am so glad I joined up under the Navy and Army Canteen Board and am one of those helping to feed Tommy.  Of course, I know my other girl friends in different corps are doing splendid work, but I always think “comparisons are odious,” and as long as we are engaged on war work that is the chief point.  We are not all stouthearted enough for hospital work, or physically fit for the land; but my work is all right for a girl who has just ordinary health and strength, and there is no sad side to it.

We all like wearing uniform.  It is so nice not to have to trouble about thinking “What shall I wear?”  Indoors we wear khaki overalls and little “Sister Dora” caps.  For outdoors we wear a tunic or coat of khaki, buttoned up at the throat like the soldier’s tunic.  I go on duty at 7.30 a.m., and I go off at 9.30 p.m., and there is no time wasted changing frocks at all.

During the afternoon I get two hours’ leave, and once a week I get a half day off, and I can assure you I manage to have a fine time then.

THE UNIFORM IS FREE.
NOW I am sure you want to hear just what my work is.  I suppose it is because I am a woman that I start by telling you about mv frock—I beg its pardon, I mean my uniform—and then about my holidays.  Well, I am cooking.  This Board only started just over a year ago.  Now we are 8,000 workers, all women, and we have about 2,000 canteens.  We are for home service only, and wo do not have to bind ourselves for any special period of time.  If you are accepted as a worker by the Canteen Board, you have your uniform given you, and then, according to what work you are going to do, you are either sent to a school to train or else you go direct to your job.  The cooks and manageresses are trained, but the waitresses are untrained.  The Board will only take women who have had experience as the two former.  Fortunately for me, I have had a good bit of experience in cooking.  Mother always said every woman should know how to.  I spent a month (that is the training period) at one of the two schools in London.  There are several in the provinces as well.  Here we learnt, first, all about canteen cooking.  It means often working on a large scale, and frequently at great speed, for at busy times it just seems as if the whole British Army came tumbling into the canteen all at once, and, of course, everyone wanted to be served immediately.  Sometimes I wish some of the girls in the London tea-rooms could see how we serve our customers.  I always have coffee ready and plenty of hot water for tea.

Ours is cooking of light refreshments only.  Our light suppers are our strong point.  Thank goodness we dispense unrationed food only, so we have no brain trouble over whole or half coupons.  We have to be very economical, and no waste is allowed.  Woe betide you if an inspector came along and found waste in your canteen.

We cooks sometimes turn out new recipes—war-time economy ones.  It is quite wonderful what one can do with even the present-day food if trouble is taken.

PAY IS ACCORDING TO THE WORK. 
WE live either in hostels or in quarters behind the canteen.  Where I have been for some months we are at the canteen.  I cook for the other girls, and I get plenty of teasing over my “war recipes.”  Once a new recipe fell flat, and the result was we were rather supperless that night and had to content ourselves with bread; and, of course, it was all over the camp next day, and now they all call me “the chef.”  I just love my work, and I like to think out a nice, new little supper dish for the men.  I have a specially warm spot in my heart for the men just called up, and who have only just left their comfortable homes and perhaps a pretty little wife and children.  It must take some time for them to really get used to their new life. The girls who wait tell me they like their work so much, but I always think mine is more important. The manageress keeps all the accounts, and is responsible for the “housekeeping” for our large family.  It is necessary in such a big undertaking to have “red tape,” but it is not drawn too tightly, and we all like the life and the work very much.

Our pay is quite good.  We none of us wish for a fancy wage.  Our board and lodging is provided, and our pay is according to the work we do.  No girl is taken under eighteen.  There is no other age limit except for the manageresses; they are not taken over forty-five.  A reduction is, of course, made from our pay to cover our keep, as is the rule with all forms of war work.

DO YOU WANT TO HELP? 
THE Navy and Army Canteen Board have quite a large welfare side, so the comfort and care of the workers is well looked after.  They are suitably housed, well fed, and there is no side of their welfare that is neglected; but them is no undue restraint.  No father or mother need fear their girls joining up, although the work is situated in our camps all over the country.

I am in a camp “somewhere in England” just a few miles from one of our delightful old cathedral towns.

If you want to come and work for Tommy, too, send in your name to the
Navy and Army Canteen Board,
Imperial Court, Knightsbridge,
or go to your nearest Employment Bureau.

THE W.A.A.C. in France

From the Illustrated London News, April 20th 1918

LADIES’ PAGE.

A PROUD record is that of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, "mentioned" specially for their courage and devotion to duty in connection with the recent heavy battles in France.  The exact words of the praise are these: "The Army Council has read excellent report of the behaviour of the W.A.A.C.'s during the late heavy fighting. . . The W.A.A.C.'s during the crisis have more than justified their existence, and have well maintained the credit of their sex and of the Army to which they belong."  Illustrations are given, such as a detachment in domestic service at an Army school who remained "in a dangerous position after all the pupils had left," and continued to prepare and serve food to the exhausted officers and men till all were compelled to evacuate the place, and then, refusing an offer made to them to receive transport on the ground that it was needed for more urgent use, the women walked fifteen miles back to the place to which they were ordered.  Who could have predicted, not merely such courage, but such a reserve of physical strength, staying power, and nerve force as the women of Britain are now displaying?

"Needs must," however, governs many arrangements, and even the erratic fashion of dress is compelled to bow before the conditions produced by the Great War.  The extreme shortage of woollen fabrics and the consequent high prices have compelled the designers to adopt----as, indeed, they were formally asked by the French Government to do—a new and narrow cut for skirts.  Unnecessary fulness and superfluous folds are abolished.  As to waists, they are like the snakes in Iceland---there are none.  A loose belt just indicates where the waist naturally must be, or the skirt part of a one-piece gown is run with a little line of fulness on to a closer-fitting bodice piece.  A dressy style is to have a very wide belt-piece passing round the figure from the hips to the bust, in a different material from the rest of the dress, not shaped in at all, but the necessary fulness to the skirt for the width of the hips gives a certain shapeliness to the silhouette; as nearly as possible, however, it is a straight line.  This very wide belt may be of satin, and is often decorated with a little embroidery or a bead motif.  Sleeves, still on the no-waste idea, are quite tight, buttoning close to the wrist in some cases.  Very deep collars, almost capes, on the other hand, are often seen, and would have difficulty in justifying their economy of material.  Coat-frocks are as fashionable as ever, and on these the collar is apt to be large.  Black and white checks are much used, and a big collar of plain cloth in a contrasting colour, such as pale tan, mastic, lime-green, putty, or pale fawn, is a pleasing contrast.  The collar is often pointed, the tips falling nearly to the waist, and it is then termed a "shawl collar."  Square sailor-collars are also used, but extra deep at the back.  Tunics, moderately full over tight skirts, often in two materials, the upper garment reaching nearly or quite to the knee, are much patronised.  Tailor-made gowns also show close-fitting skirts, with narrow but rather fuller coats nearly to the knees.  Some are made with a vest of a contrasting colour introduced.  Belts are put to tie or button loosely in some designs, but mostly the coat is cut to hang gracefully without an indication of waist-line, except, perhaps, by a slight in-curving cut, but often not even that—a mere sac-like, loose fall from the shoulder.

[The abrupt change from discussing the W.A.A.C.'s record in France to the latest fashions is very striking.]

The Women’s Royal Naval Service

From Woman’s Weekly, March 23rd, 1918.

THE WOMEN’S ROYAL NAVAL SERVICE

THE “WRENS.”

THE very latest war-work for girls is the Women’s Royal Naval Service.  The W. R. N. S. has already received a popular name, and everyone is calling it the "Wrens."  It looks as if it is to be a very popular corps, for Jack Tar is always such a favourite all the girls will want to work for him.
Some girls simply have no idea what work the "Wrens" will do.  One girl said it was no use her joining, for "she was such a bad sailor."  So, first of all, let me tell you all the work is on land, and there is no foreign work either.  All will work at home.  Some will be in London, others at the coast—especially the East, North-East, and South-East Coat.

IF YOU LIVE ON THE COAST. 
ONE chief point of the service is to recruit local women, so that they can live at home while at their work.  Of course, this will not always be possible, but it will be what the "Heads'' will always aim at.  It is a gain to the workers, as it is so much cheaper than boarding elsewhere, and more comfortable.

THE GIRL WHO IS WANTED. 
ANY girl over eighteen can join the corps if she is medically fit, and can give good references. What is wanted is the kind of girl who is really anxious to do her share of war-work—not the slacker.
There is a demand for every type of worker, the skilled and the unskilled—clerks, typists, telephone operators, and, of course, cooks.
Was there ever a time when the woman cook was so much in demand?  For the inner man must be looked after if the outer man is to do good work.
Motor drivers are also wanted (these must be well experienced).  Photographers, tracers, store-keepers; in fact, girls for all kinds of work that women can do to replace the rating.  All these will come as women in the ranks, the officers will act as directors, principals and section leaders.

THE GIRLS IN BLUE. 
THE first group of the W.R.N.S. to start work is London, and almost directly after the coast towns follow on, and before very long we shall all become quite familiar with the "girls in blue."  No girl will be taken who is already engaged in Government work unless she obtains special permission to leave.  The age is from eighteen upwards.  This should give a good opportunity to women who, while still good workers, are beyond the age limit for some kinds of war-work, provided the authorities think the applicant suitable, and she can pass the medical board.

THE PAY YOU MAY EXPECT. 
THE pay is different for the various kinds of work, so that one cannot state a general rule.  It may be 25s. a week, or it may be 40s.; the more highly skilled the work the better the pay.  If a girl is a good worker, she will be sure to gain promotion in course of time, if the war continues, as with each class or sub-class there a minimum and a maximum figure for the pay.
Arrangement-are made to lodge the women in hostels or billets, in the caw of those not living at home.  About 14s. a week will be deducted from their pay for board, lodging and washing.  Those who live at home will not have any deduction made from their pay.  If a girl is sick while at a hostel or billet, she will receive free medical attendance; if in her own home she will receive medical attendance under the National Insurance Act.
A fortnight's leave with pay will be given each year.  When a woman joins her travelling expenses will be paid, also if she is transferred to another place; and when her engagement is at an end, her expenses are refunded, so that in no way is a girl out of pocket.  The hours work  out about the usual war-hours, and as the work is so varied it is impossible to say if it is heavy or light, so much depends on the work and the worker; it certainly is nothing like the work in some branches of war-work.  A very neat but smart uniform is provided free—blue, of course.  It is of a really good material and well made.  It is very neat and business-like, but very smart.  There is a long, wide coat, and for officers a skirt and coat, and such a useful hat.  The coats have a typical sailor collar.  As it is the latest uniform, it has all the best points in it, and those who designed it may well feel satisfied with the result.  A "Wren" looks what she is, a useful war-worker, and quite a "Miss" Jack Tar.  The entire outfit is a very suitable one, and will please even the zealous war-worker—well, she is only a woman, after all, and does like to look nice, besides the photo of her and her uniform that must go off to the Front.

An officer is addressed as Ma'am.

GO TO THE LABOUR BUREAU. 
THE best place to get all particulars, and the most convenient, is the nearest Labour Bureau, or, as it is now called, the Employment Exchange.  If you are a skilled worker, enter for your own work.  If you have never done anything before, do not let that prevent you joining up; you will be useful somewhere at some job, and then you will have the satisfaction of helping and working for those who by day and by night guard our shores, and to whose constant vigil we owe the very food we eat.

The W.A.A.C.'s in France

From Home Notes, January 5th 1918.

THE W.A.A.C.'s IN FRANCE.

The amusements available for the W.A.A.C.’s are many, owing- to their enormous personal popularity and tho act that they are all what the men call “nice girls.”  They get passes like the men for special absences from camp, but they only go out in parties of two or more, and have to be back to roll-call in the evening.  This is not irksome, as their men friends usually have the same rules and hours.

Men-Friends.
There are few girls who do not quickly acquire men-friends, and as there are thousands more men than women there is a wide field of selection, and no excuse for choosing Sergeant or Private Wrong instead of Sergeant; or Private Right.  Pretty and plain, all have an equal chance, but they must remember that though they may get engaged, if they marry they have to return and take home service, as a soldier in France is not allowed to have his wife there.  That happens to be an army regulation, and an irritating one.
I asked one girl how she knew whether her sweetheart was not already married, and she replied promptly: “I looked in his pay-book to see to whom he was making allotments!”  It would be well if all W.A.A.C.'s making new friendships did the same; then there could be no broken hearts.  Invitations to regimental concerts and parties pour in on the girls, and they in their turn give dances and concerts, with refreshments of a homely kind made by themselves.

Irksome Rules.
There are two irksome things for the W.A.A.C.'s to put up with —- one is that there is only a fortnight's leave once a year, and the other that all letters are censored.  The first, however, does not bold if you have a sick father or mother, or other urgent, reasons for being needed at home; the second is lessened by the fact that a green envelope, similar to that given to a soldier, is issued once a fortnight, its contents are not censored, as the writer gives a signed undertaking on the outside that no military matter is dealt with within.  The censoring of letters is not confined to the rank and file — a general at headquarters told me he had had his opened frequently.
The list of fines and punishments in the booklet issued about the W.A.A.C. is very terrifying, but when 1 asked how it worked out, I found that a good scolding was the most terrib!e yet inflicted, and that any officer of the W.A.A.C. who wished to fine a girl would have to go to extraordinary trouble to do so, and get authority from the base commandant.  Of course, thoroughly unsuitable women are sent back, but out of the thousands who have gone there have only been four or five sent home.  The W.A.A.C. officers, from the Chief Controller downwards, are all fine women, and they know how to treat their rank and file.

A New Life. 
There are many advantages for an intelligent woman “soldiering” in France for the period of the war.  She can learn a new language with great ease, taking the free lessons that are available, and letting her ear do her good service for pronunciation and vocabulary.  Already some of the cooks who cater for the officers' mess can do so in French, and bargain with the fishwives and greengrocers. Business girls will have plenty or opportunities, if they join up as warehousewomen, of seeing French business life in the towns and comparing it with their own.  The country girl will be surprised at the French agriculture, and nearly all the women will be interested in noting the attention to detail that French girls of the better class give to their person, and their great skill in making the best of themselves.

Halifax & District Women’s Day

From the Halifax Courier, January 5th 1918

HALIFAX & DISTRICT WOMEN’S DAY

The Halifax and District Women's Day was held on Saturday, September 29,1917, with the object of raising a fund for the benefit of the Y.W.C.A. War Charities work in connection with the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.  For many months thousands of women and girls have undertaken all kinds of non-combatant service in the Base Camps of Flanders, and France, and, therefore, it is the obvious duty to do all in our power to minister to the moral and material welfare of these brave women who are enduring much and living under strict Military discipline.  Through the generosity of the people of Halifax and district the amount has now reached the sum of £420 2s. 7d.  The treasurer, Alfred Morris, Esq., joins me in expressing our grateful thanks to all those who have helped to raise the fund.  Although the balance-sheet must need be published, it is the great desire of all who have taken part in the "Women's Day" that the full amount required to build the Hut, £500, should be realised, therefore, they hope that some who have not yet contributed will do so, and in order that a Hut in France may bear the ancient and honoured name of “Halifax.”— Believe me, yours faithfully,

HATTIE S. FISHER-SMITH.
The Gleddings, Halifax.

[followed by financial statement]

The Women's Army

From The Scotsman, 20th November 1917.

THE WOMEN'S ARMY.

CAMPAIGN INAUGURATED BY DUCHESS OF ATHOLL.

A recruiting campaign to swell the ranks of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was opened in the West of Scotland yesterday with a meeting in the Banqueting Hall of the Glasgow City Chambers.  Every foot of space in the hall was occupied, and many people were unable to gain admission. Amongst the speakers were the Duchess of Atholl and Lord Scott Dickson.

Lord Provost Stewart, who presided, said they wanted 10,000 capable women immediately, and after that a second and a third ten thousand, and so on for a few months to come, in order that men might be released for the fighting line.

Miss Craigie, the Recruiting Controller for Scotland, outlined the scheme of the W.A.A.C, and the spheres within which the Corps operates, and the rates of pay and conditions of service in the various sections, mechanical, domestic, clerical, or unskilled, as the case may be.  In Scotland alone, they wished 250 volunteers per week, and for Great Britain the Government required 10,000 women per month.

The Duchess of Atholl, in urging-the claims of the Corps, contrasted the opposition which Florence Nightingale had encountered before she was permitted to take her handful of heroic helpers to the suffering troops in the Crimea, and the condition now, when they had a Women's Corps raised by the War Office and financed by the State.  This situation had brought to women a tremendous privilege and an equally tremendous responsibility—a situation absolutely unprecedented in our country's history, and unprecedented, she thought, in the history of women, and one which required that each one should put to herself very searching questions as to the value of the work she was at present doing, and the effect of her needs and desires upon the labour forces of the country.  She wished it could be possible, her Grace said, that in the years to come they could look back upon the years of the Great War and say :—"We women gave up our fashions; we recognised that the country's need for labour was so overwhelming that our lesser needs went by the board, and we threw off the tyranny of fashion while the war lasted."  (Applause.)  That was not yet quite the case.  The shops continued to display a bewildering and tempting variety of things day by day; and she heard that the jewellers' trade had never been so brisk as now.  They should reduce their needs so as to conserve all possible labour for the country's wants; they did want it to be any longer true—as had been trenchantly said—that "ladies' new hats are the grave of a nation's energy."  With due allowance for personal and business ties, women were being asked to give themselves to the service of the country, and her Grace was sure that if the need were realised the response would add enormously to the splendid record of the women of Glasgow.  (Applause.)

Lord Scott Dickson said the women were being asked to come forward, as each woman meant the release of a man for the lighting line.  He was sure that when they were convinced, as they must be convinced, that they required men and still more men—that the need was so acute to free men for the fighting line—the appeal would not be addressed in vain to the women of Glasgow, but that they would respond as readily as the men-folk who were facing the enemy in the battle-line. (Applause.)