SISTERS IN ARMS

Women played vital roles in the war effort, working as nurses and ambulance drivers

- RHIANNON DAVIES

When war broke out in July 1914, combat was very much seen as men's work. However, as the conflict dragged on, both the Allies and the Central Powers realised that they needed to rethink their attitude to who belonged on or near the battlefields.

The war claimed staggering numbers of casualties, so both sides constantly needed to recruit fresh troops. But warfare wasn't just about going 'over the top'. People were needed to drive ambulances, nurse the wounded, operate telephone lines, cook for the troops and perform a long list of other behind-the-scenes tasks to ensure that military operations kept running smoothly.