On This Day, 5 March 1917

Birmingham Daily Post

Monday 5 March 1917

15,000 APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN.

Although no direct appeal has been made by the National Service Department (Women’s Section) for offers of service from women in the way they have been invited from men, 15,000 applications from women have been received at St. Ermin’s Hotel within the last three days, Saturday morning’s first post brought nearly 2,080 letters and forms. Applications have been received from every class of women throughout the land, and from the wealthiest to the poorest, the most earnest desire being expressed to serve the nation. Very many trained and skilled women have applied; also a great number of domestic servants. Often the reason and qualifications for serving are pathetic and often amusing. There are women who state that they “can feed pigs” or “can dig potatoes.” Several want to “get away from washing day,” and one girl says “she is fond of animals, and might like motors.” A mother, in reply to a question as to previous national work, said: “I have brought up six sons to soldiers.” One solitary man applied for a form, as he wanted to “look after women on the land.”