The first all-women unit in the British Army – is officially instituted, later renamed Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC).
A giant step for womankind: Britain’s first all-female military unit, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Its historic success was secured by two women ahead of their time: Alexandra Chalmers Watson and Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan.
A giant step for womankind: Britain’s first all-female military unit, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Its historic success was secured by two women ahead of their time: Alexandra Chalmers Watson and Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan.
Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) founded. Disbanded in 1919 but reformed in 1939 at the start of Second World War.
Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) founded. Disbanded in 1919 but reformed in 1939 at the start of Second World War.
Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) formed. It was disbanded in 1920.
Nine QMAACs die after a German bombing raid on Abbeville, France.
Born in Deal, Kent, in 1877, Sister Edith Appleton served in France with the elite Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Edith was gazetted for the Royal Red Cross in 1918 and awarded a military OBE.
Her diaries leading up to the end of the war on 12 November 1918 give a profound insight into the life of a First World War nurse, starkly exposing the suffering of the wounded and dying – as well as the quirks and distractions of life at the front.
110 women hired on an experimental contract. No power of arrest until 1923.
QMACC also officially disbanded in 1920. One unit remained active until 1921.
Whilst organisations such as QMAAC were disbanded at the end of the First World War, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (now the Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps) was independent and self-funded, so remained active.
Whilst organisations such as QMAAC were disbanded at the end of the First World War, the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (now the Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps) was independent and self-funded, so remained active.
Formed in 1938, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) was the women’s branch of the British Army during WW2 and counted HRH Princess Elizabeth amongst its members. It was succeeded by the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) in 1949.
Formed in 1938, the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) was the women’s branch of the British Army during WW2 and counted HRH Princess Elizabeth amongst its members. It was succeeded by the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) in 1949.
Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) founded.
A battle with no guns and few casualties but also one of the most vital of WWII. At its height the Women’s Land Army had more than 80,000 at the “front” – farm workers taking the place of men to help save Britain from starvation.
A battle with no guns and few casualties but also one of the most vital of WWII. At its height the Women’s Land Army had more than 80,000 at the “front” – farm workers taking the place of men to help save Britain from starvation.
First overseas WRNS draft travel to Singapore.
Flora Sandes was the only British woman to serve as a combat soldier in the First World War.
Wounded fighting as a sergeant with the Serbian army in 1916, she was awarded the country’s highest honour for bravery and became a national hero. In 1941, aged 65, Flora enlisted again – to fight the Nazi invasion of Yugoslavia.
ATS given full military status and members were no longer classed as volunteers.
The National Service Act passed, calling up women aged 20-30 to join one of the three main auxiliary services, the Women’s Voluntary Service (Home Front) or the Women’s Land Army.
The National Service Act passed, calling up women aged 20-30 to join one of the three main auxiliary services, the Women’s Voluntary Service (Home Front) or the Women’s Land Army.
Including radar detection finders, gunnery dome operators & bomb range markers.
Entitled women to one week's holiday per year and raised the minimum wage.
WAAF membership peaks at 182,000 – the majority of women aged 18-40 with 48 nationalities represented. By 1946 187 members of WAAF had been killed on duty.
WAAF membership peaks at 182,000 – the majority of women aged 18-40 with 48 nationalities represented. By 1946 187 members of WAAF had been killed on duty.
Joy Lofthouse and Mary Ellis were part of a select band of women in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) who piloted planes in WWII. Known as ‘Attagirls’, they moved thousands of aircraft all over Britain.
Joy Lofthouse and Mary Ellis were part of a select band of women in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) who piloted planes in WWII. Known as ‘Attagirls’, they moved thousands of aircraft all over Britain.
Sisters Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne were among the most remarkable of the 39 women who spied for Britain during the Second World War. Jacqueline spent 15 months in France until 1944, when Eileen was flown into the country.
Their story did not come to light for 66 years – then only because of its deeply poignant end.
Violette Bushell was a shop girl who became one of Britain’s most famous Second World War secret agents.
Asked by her mother to find a homesick French soldier to bring home for a Bastille Day dinner in London, she was just 19 when she met Étienne Szabo, a Foreign Legion officer.
He became her husband and his death inspired her to become a spy. Violette’s bravery won her the George Cross – and in 1945 it cost her her life.
Allowing for permanent peacetime roles for women in Britain’s armed services.
80% of jobs were available to women but they were prohibited from combat duty.
Jean Lennox Bird became the first woman to be awarded RAF pilot’s badge.
Service is confined to Malta and several Allied headquarters in Europe.
WRAF officers adopt the rank titles of RAF counterparts.
Elspeth McKechnie becomes the first woman doctor to be Commanding Officer of RAF Hospital at Cosford.
Elspeth McKechnie becomes the first woman doctor to be Commanding Officer of RAF Hospital at Cosford.
Deployed to assist civilian police and serve until 1992.
The first women are admitted to RAF College, Cranwell and train alongside men.
Yet until 1974 the story was top secret. It remains essentially a male story about eccentric Cambridge dons who cracked the fiendishly complex Enigma ciphers. But of the 10,000 or so who served at Bletchley, around 7,000 were women.
Yet until 1974 the story was top secret. It remains essentially a male story about eccentric Cambridge dons who cracked the fiendishly complex Enigma ciphers. But of the 10,000 or so who served at Bletchley, around 7,000 were women.
Her role role in the war, like many others, only came to light after 1974. Her work with computing pioneer Alan Turing helped crack ciphers used on Germany’s Enigma machines, allowing access to military communications and shortening the war by years.
WRNS are given longer terms of service in a wide range of technical support roles in operational areas.
WRNS are given longer terms of service in a wide range of technical support roles in operational areas.
After the 1982 Falklands War 20 WRAC servicewomen are stationed in Port Stanley.
Girls are formally enrolled into the Army, Air and Sea Cadet Forces.
More than 200 members of WRAC serve during Operation Granby.
Women have been in the RAF for nearly a century – but it took more than 70 years before they were allowed to fly. Julie Gibson made history as the first female operational pilot, paving the way for the women who fly combat jets today.
Women have been in the RAF for nearly a century – but it took more than 70 years before they were allowed to fly. Julie Gibson made history as the first female operational pilot, paving the way for the women who fly combat jets today.
4,535 women integrated into mainstream Royal Navy roles. Women are permitted to serve on HM Ships at sea, all ranks and rates. They can also serve in Royal Marines, but not as RM Commandos.
4,535 women integrated into mainstream Royal Navy roles. Women are permitted to serve on HM Ships at sea, all ranks and rates. They can also serve in Royal Marines, but not as RM Commandos.
Only two jobs - fireman and aerial erector - are still unavailable to women.
Only Tank and Infantry regiments remain men only.
But women could serve on fighting ships in the Navy and pilot fighter aircraft.
In May 2002 Captain Philippa Tattersall becomes the first woman to complete Royal Marine training, completing the same tests as her male colleagues.
In May 2002 Captain Philippa Tattersall becomes the first woman to complete Royal Marine training, completing the same tests as her male colleagues.
Michelle Norris was the first woman to receive the Military Cross. The Royal Army Medical Corps private was just 19 when she saved her commander’s life in a firefight with more than 200 insurgents in Al-Amarah, southern Iraq, in 2006.
Michelle Norris was the first woman to receive the Military Cross. The Royal Army Medical Corps private was just 19 when she saved her commander’s life in a firefight with more than 200 insurgents in Al-Amarah, southern Iraq, in 2006.
96% of RAF jobs are open to women, followed by 71% in the Navy 67% in the Army.
Under fire, the RAMC medic defended herself in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The memorial, in a corner of a garden in a London square, unveiled by the Princess Royal in 2012, is to Noor Inayat Khan – a British-Indian writer, musician and spy who was the last British radio operator in Paris in 1943 before she was captured and executed.
Having joined the WRAF in 1978, she joined straight from school. It also makes West the first female military two-star.
Lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alex Olsson and Penny Thackray become the first women to serve on a Royal Navy submarine, following the lifting of the ban on women serving on Submarines in 2011.
With females now accounting for 12.7% of officers and 9.4% of other ranks.
Susan Ridge becomes the British Army’s first female general and the highest-ranking woman to date when she is promoted to Major General.
Susan Ridge becomes the British Army’s first female general and the highest-ranking woman to date when she is promoted to Major General.
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The ban on women in ground close combat roles is lifted with combat roles to be opened to women in phases. This begins with women being permitted to serve in certain roles within the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) from November 2016.
The ban on women in ground close combat roles is lifted with combat roles to be opened to women in phases. This begins with women being permitted to serve in certain roles within the Royal Armoured Corps (RAC) from November 2016.
As of 2017 approximately 30% of Army Cadets are girls.
The RAF begins accepting applications from women to join the RAF Regiment - its ground-fighting force, making it the first branch of the British Military to open up every role to men and women.
The RAF begins accepting applications from women to join the RAF Regiment - its ground-fighting force, making it the first branch of the British Military to open up every role to men and women.
