Women who fought during WW1

The contribution of women aside from 'keeping the home fires burning' (the lyrics for which, incidentally were written by an American woman who was living in London during WW1 - Lena Gilbert Brown Ford - which means I have included her in my list of poets), is truly amazing.

There are some excellent books written in America which deal with the subject of the contibution of women in depth.  Apparently, more than 45,000 women travelled from America to help out in some way.  During the First World War, several female American journalists went to interview some of the Russian women who enlisted to fight in the Russian Army.

There is a report published on 13th January 1916 in the American newspaper "Reading Eagle" which details the exploits of one or two of the hundreds of Russian women fighters - www.google.com/newspapers

It seems that, unlike their Russian sisters, Italian women were not allowed to fight.  The newspaper report tells of a young school teacher called Luiga Clapppi from Florence, who purchased a uniform, obtained a rifle and enlisted in a volunteer force.  The whiteness of her hands apparently gave the game away.

Two Frenchwomen - Helene Dutrieu and Marie Marvingt - were aviators who flew reconnaissance missions for the Allies during WW1.

And of course there were those who worked as spies, as well as ambulance drivers, nurses, entertainers, etc. behind the lines but nevertheless 'in the line of fire'.

I have plenty to keep me busy trying to find all these amazing women.

Elsie and Mairi go to War

Apologies!  I have neglected this section because I have been working very hard on trying to locate poets.  That does not mean I have forgotten those Inspirational Women - far from it.

Reading a book today about male soldier poets of WW1, I read a paragraph that mentioned that women did not fight during the First World War.

If you look at the excellent Facebook Page WW1 Buffs, you will see that there were quite a few women who did in fact fight.  Women like Flora Sandes, a clergyman's daughter from Suffolk in England, and Dorothy Lawrence.  

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.222213017840753.58272.162842593777796&type=3

Then there were the women who travelled to the various theatres of war in order to nurse the sick and wounded.  Women like Elsie Knocker an Mairi Chisholm who remained in Belgium for the duration of the War and whose adventures there are hair-raising.

I am currently reading "A Great Task of Happiness  The Life of Kathleen Scott" by Louisa Young (Macmillan, London, 1995).  Louisa Young is Kathleen Scott's Granddaughter and the book is enthralling.   I shall definitely include Kathleen Scott in my Inspirational Women of World War One Section.

Exhibition "Female Poets of the First World War" to feature some of the inspirational women discovered so far

This exhibition will not only feature women poets of the first world war, introduce Elizabeth Ann Slater a previously unpublished poet from Burnley, Lancashire but also some of the inspirational women researched so far.

Venue:

The Ace Centre,
Cross Street,
Nelson
Lancashire
BB9 7NN

Viewing:  Mondays to Saturdays 10 am till 4 pm

From:  15th August - 3rd September 2013

Entry free.

The Devil's Porridge

Thank you to Sheila at The Devil's Porridge for sending me their leaflets (see left) about the secret story of the greatest munitions factory on earth and a suggestion for the Inspirational Women of World War One section of the Exhibition Female Poets of the First World War.

The Devil's Porridge is at Daleside, Butterdales, Eastriggs, DG12 6TQ - between Gretna and Annan and is open from 31st March until 28th October - 7 days a week Monday - Saturday 10 am till 4 pm and Sundays 12 pm till 4 pm

Entry costs £3.50 for adults and £2.50 for over 60's.

Further details on www.devilsporridge.co.uk

I can't wait to go and visit.

August 2013 Poetry Exhibition to include examples of Inspirational Women

The Exhibition of Female Poets of the First World War to be held at the Ace Centre, Cross Street, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7NN will feature a few of the amazing and inspirational women of the War.

The Exhibition is planned for 15th August - 3rd September 2013 and entry is free.  The Ace Centre is open daily from 10 am until 4 pm, except for Sundays and Bank Holidays.

THANK YOU

Thank you very much indeed to Richard who is Chairman of the Appeal to fund a statue in memory of the Munitions Workers at The Devil's Porridge Museum in Gretna - www.devilsporridge.co.uk

The Munitions Workers did the most amazing job and the story of these munitions factories and those who worked in them is very inspirational.

It should not be forgotten that the soldiers' lives depended upon these Workers to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for the work was arduous and dangerous.

Thanks are also due to L'Oreal who did at least reply to my letter (there are many who don't!) even though they could not help with my request for WW1 information.

Acknowledgements

My grateful thanks to Bella Blissett who produces the marvellous BEAUTY BUZZ feature in "You" Magazine (inside the Mail on Sunday - www.you.co.uk).   Bella has given me a long list of ideas ranging from beauty companies from WW1 through books to read on the subject and more.   Thank you so much Bella.

My thanks as well to:

Gio from www.beautifulwithbrains.com  and

Stevie from www.glamourdaze.com

who have also been extremely helpful and supportive.

I now have to collect everything together, look for the books and get on with my research.

Lucy London
1st May 2013