The Great War had far reaching implications for civilians. It called upon those not in military service to take on a variety of new roles in the workplace. Some were employed in industry, agriculture and commerce to replace men serving abroad. Others helped more informally supporting the troops at home and overseas.
Photograph and biographical information kindly supplied by Susan Moss Ethel May Beech was born on 7th April 1899 and lived at 1, Waymills, Whitchurch. She worked one day a week from 1917 to 1919 at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, … 
Though there were no Munitions factories in Whitchurch or its surrounding area, many civilians made vital contributions to the war effort through their jobs. The 1918 “Directory of Manufacturers in Engineering and Allied Trades” lists two Whitchurch companies engaged in …
Peat working was apparently a reserved occupation during WW1 so why were these women employed ? Who were they and where did they stay?
This article appeared in the Chester Chronicle on 1st July 1916 …
An article in the Chester Chronicle dated 18th July 1916 reported that Whitchurch women had stepped into the jobs left empty by men serving in the forces. Miss Crewe was delivering parcels while Miss Etches and Miss Huxley were working as …
FIRST FEMALE CLERKS AT LLOYDSWith the outbreak of the First World War, Lloyds Bank employed women as clerks for the first time. They replaced men who had joined the armed services. Nationally six women were taken on at the start of …
War Hospital Supply Depots were organised by individuals and staffed by civilian volunteers. Without them supplies of dressings and garments to many hospitals would have been non-existent. A number of supply depots were located in the Whitchurch area and included …
Miss Winifred RoeOf The Laurels, Whitchurch, SalopCook at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopFrom 00/01/1915 to 00/12/1917
Miss Robina NeavesOf Station Road, Whitchurch, SalopWard Maid at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopFrom 00/03/1915 to 03/03/1919
Miss Annie Jane PurcellOf 3 Fox’s Lane, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopWashed up at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopFrom 00/11/1917 to 00/11/1918
We have received the following gift this week from Miss Thompson, of Whitchurch : Cakes soap, tooth brushes, handkerchiefs, knitted scarf and old linen. They will be forwarded where they are greatly needed, as all such things are in military …
Mrs Rose BeckettOf The Bungalow, Whitchurch, SalopCook at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopFrom 28/01/1915 to 00/01/1916
Miss Daisey BaileyOf Ash, Whitchurch, SalopWashed up once a week at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopFrom 00/03/1915 to 00/03/1919
Miss Mary ArrowsmithOf Ash, Whitchurch, SalopWashed up once a week at V.A.D. Hospital, Shropshire 26, Broughall, Whitchurch, SalopFrom 00/07/1917 to 00/03/1919
Mrs Sarah MorrisOf Corra, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union Work Party 4082. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/00/1915 to 00/00/1918
Mrs Hannah MorrisOf Moreton Wood, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union Work Party 4082. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/00/1915 to 00/00/1918
James AllmarkOf Whixall Moss, Whitchurch, SalopServed as collector of sphagnum moss for Mr Stapleton Cotton’s depot in WemFrom 0/00/1914 to 00/00/1919
Leonard Richard HouseOf 26 Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, SalopServed in Friends Ambulance Unit (F.A.U.)From 23/10/1917 to 13/02/1919
Miss Lucy DarlingtonOf The Old Lane Farm, Ightfield, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Calverhall Girls’ Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/10/1914 to 00/02/1919
Miss Gertrude DarlingtonOf Church Farm, Ightfield, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Calverhall Girls’ Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/10/1914 to 00/02/1919
Miss Agnes DarlingtonOf Church Farm, Ightfield, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Calverhall Girls’ Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/10/1914 to 00/02/1918
Miss Mary GregoryOf Corra Common, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Calverhall Girls’ Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/01/1915 to 00/02/1918
Mrs GatensburyOf Corra, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union work party. Duty – not specifiedFrom 00/09/1915 to 00/00/1918
Mrs Amelia DownesOf Calverhall, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union work party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/09/1915 to 00/00/1918
Mrs Elizabeth DuttonOf Burleydam, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Vicarage working party. Duties – Needlework, Subs & FoodFrom 00/09/1914 to 00/12/1918
Mrs Eliz. DaviesOf Moreton Wood, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/00/1915 to 00/00/1918
Mrs E BurgessOf Corra Common, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/00/1915 to 00/00/1918
Miss Mary BurgessOf Corra Common, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Calverhall Girls’ Work Party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/10/1914 to 00/02/1919
Mrs Selina AnthonyOf Wickstead Lodge, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Mothers Union works party. Duty – NeedleworkFrom 00/00/1915 to 00/00/1918
Mrs Emma HuntbachOf Burleydam, Whitchurch, SalopMember of Cheshire Branch. Duties included Needlework, Subs & FoodFrom 00/09/1914 to 00/12/1918