Essay On Australian Women During World War 1

World War 1 was an extensive conflict that occurred between 1914 and 1918. The majority of the battling took place in Europe along two fronts, the Western front and the Eastern front. A long line of trenches that ran from Belgium to Switzerland were known as the Western front. Between Germany, Hungary and Bulgaria , Russia and Romania was known as the Eastern front. The armies bombed and shot each other from across the trenches, they hardly moved. The Australians were significantly involved in Gallipoli and served in oceans around Australia, New Guinea, Egypt and Palestine. World War 1 saw the engagement of large portions of women employed as nurses and other medical workers. On the home front, endless women took on voluntary, comfort and fundraising

roles to support the troops. Women participated in paid workforce restricted to ‘female’ areas of work in the food, clothing, footwear, printing and textile industries. Women also worked as shop assistants, in office work and in teaching. Some women replaced men in the workplace temporarily such as jobs in the police force, farming, factories and small businesses. Women also managed family responsibilities alone, facing fears for the future and the grief of losing loved ones.

During World War 1 according to the Australian Department of Defence, over 2500 Australian Army Nursing Service nurses were involved.

Approximately 420 of these women served in Australia. Australian nurses served in military hospitals, medical ships and tent hospitals near battlefields. World War 1 was the first time in Australian history that women had made a comprehensive contribution to the war effort outside home. These women saw first hand illness, wounds, deaths and emotional anguish that the war produced. The nurses were placed in jeopardy and difficult conditions. They worked lengthy hours with insubstantial supplies causing physical and emotional stress. This is strongly indicated in Source 2 a portion of a letter from Lydia King - War Nurse. It is describing the extreme situation that nurses had to face everyday. The hopelessness they felt and the extreme pressures they were placed in was indescribable. The tone of her words in the letter reflects strength, compassion, determination and bravery. It is a reliable primary source of evidence as it provides a piece of history to the audience in order to connect with the nurses awful experience. Australian Army nurses received national acknowledgement in 1999. Source 7 a secondary source is a memorial located in Canberra dedicated to the Australian Army nurses both past and present for their courage and compassion. This source truly reflects the value of Australian Army nurses and depicts that Australia is proud of

them.

In 1914 the Australian Branch of the British Red Cross was composed in Melbourne.

The organisation grew to every state as Australian women made their input to the war. Their task was to assemble packages for the men who were serving overseas. These packages incorporated of items such as soap, toiletries, food and games. They also supplied clothing and medical supplies to the soldiers. The Red Cross also sent food loads to Australian prisoners of war and provided support to families by establishing a Wounded and Missing Inquiry Bureau. Source 6 is a reliable secondary source as it is a short clip of women at the time preparing linen, serving tea and biscuits to troops, providing relief to soldiers and packing and loading supply bundles. In 1916 the Australian Comforts Fund was established. The fund raised money to provide Comfort Boxes for the soldiers. These contained items such as knitted socks, cigarettes, food and pyjamas. Women were devoted and raised funds by making and selling cakes, organising fates, street stores and door knocking appeals. This allowed them to develop skills in fundraising, organisation and management that they might not have gained otherwise. They also devoted their time in knitting socks for the soldiers in the trenches. According to ‘The changing role of women’ page 233, ‘By late 1918, Australian women had knitted 1354328 pairs of socks for the ACF (Australian Comforts Fund)’. Source 5 is a reliable secondary source that truly reflects a woman's

role at the time in assisting the soldiers abroad. It emphasises the importance that women worked in non fighting roles, providing assistance to the war front. It encouraged women to connect through charity.