WWI: The Home Front

This section gives some very basic information about World War I with emphasis on the perspectives shared throughout British society. 

The Home Front

Although it is clear that the First World War changed irrevocably the social structure of Britain, with the rise of the Working Class, and the new responsibilities taken on by women; there were some clear immediate effects that were felt on the Home Front.

Voluntary rationing, and appeals for economy were the order of the day. Profiteering ran rife, and there were major food shortages from 1917 onwards (although nothing in comparison with the situation in Germany, or that experienced by Britain in World War II). The war also had its political effects and in December 1916 Lloyd George displaced the unsuccessful Asquith as Prime Minister. Pacifism, although heavily censored, did have its voice in the War but was never taken up by the majority of the populace.

New Roles for Women

To coincide with the change in military thinking, in which by 1917 Women were actually allowed to serve in uniform; there were significant gains for the suffrage of women in Britain and throughout Europe. The drain on manpower by the Armed Forces meant that women had to take the place of the men in the factories, on the farms, and in other areas of public service and responsibility. This new found freedom experienced by many women for the first time was influential in changing the whole social fabric of modern day societies leading ultimately to the emancipation of women, a cause for which many had been striving for prior to the War.

The dramatic changes at home in terms of social structure were also mirrored in the Armed Forces. Although women were not allowed into uniform until 1917 with the formation of Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, many had been serving in, or near to, the front line in the form of nurses. By 1918 there were 11,000 women in the Queen Alexander's Imperial Military Nursing Service, The British Red Cross, and the St John's Ambulance; 57,000 in the QMAAC; and 5,000 each in the Women's Royal Naval service, and the Women's Royal Air Force. All were employed in clerical, communicative, and administrative services.

'Does It Matter?'

Does it matter?-losing your legs?...
For people will always be kind,
And you need not show that you mind
When the others come in after hunting
To gobble their muffins and eggs.

Does it matter?-losing your sight?...
There's such splendid work for the blind;
And people will always be kind,
As you sit on the terrace remembering
And turning your face to the light.

Do they matter?-those dreams from the pit?...
You can drink and forget and be glad,
And people won't say that you're mad,
For they'll know you've fought for your country
And no one will worry a bit.

Siegfried Sassoon

Previous:  WWI: Chronology and Battles  Next:  WWI: Trench Warfare

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