What did you do in the War Granny?

What did you do in the War Granny?

 Women in the Army in the First World War.
At the outbreak of War in 1914 the women of Britain were as keen as their menfolk to “do their bit”.   Starting off with a number of voluntary and unpaid women’s groups, most, but not all, aiming to help and aid wounded soldiers, women’s participation in the war effort grew to such an extent that in 1917 it was formally recognised by the establishment of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.   The talk looks at how this came about and what Britain’s first women soldiers actually did both at home and abroad.

The meeting is free to members of Berkshire Family History Society and we request a donation of £5 from non-members.
 
Branch library available to members to borrow books.  Refreshments available.  Car park outside the hall.

Date

Fri 17 Apr 2026

Time

Doors open at 2.15pm for meeting to start at 2.45pm
14:15 - 17:00

Location

Bracknell Branch
Bracknell Branch
The New Priestwood Community Centre, Priestwood Court Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 1TU

Category

Organiser

Bracknell Branch - Berkshire FHS
Email
bracknell@berksfhs.org.uk

Speaker

  • Dan Allen
    Dan Allen

    Dan Allen is a retired pensions consultant who has been interested in Victorian military history since he was a teenager.
    His first piece of military research came about when he wondered who was the “Lord Napier” after whom his local pub was named? Clearly, he was a soldier since his picture on the sign showed him in a red coat. Some weeks later he had a working knowledge of the life of Field Marshal Lord Napier, the Abyssinian War of 1868 and a fascination for Victorian military history that has never left him.

    He is Treasurer of the Victorian Military Society, has contributed a number of articles to the Society’s journal on various military and naval topics and also gives talks on behalf of the Society. He recently edited the Boer War diary of a private in the Northamptonshire Regiment for publication.