A woman tram driver in 1918

When the men returned from the war, women were dismissed from the army and nursing units and they were forced to leave their jobs in factories, on the land, in transport and in offices. They were expected to return to the traditional, low-paid female trades, domestic service and the home. Newspapers and magazines began telling women that the greatest work for them was the care of children, and by 1921 most had left their wartime jobs. Yet the valuable experience of the war could not be taken away. Women had proved that they were capable of doing work that before the war had only been done by men. They had earned higher wages and made new friendships. Many young single women had moved away from home for the first time and tasted independence. Others had been involved in campaigns for peace, lower rents, and equal pay with men. Women‘s self-image and confidence had increased and this could not be taken away from them. Gill Thomas, Women in the First World War, 1990

The position of woman as an industrial worker is always and always must be of secondary importance to her position in the home. To provide the conditions which make a strong and healthy family life possible is the first requirement of the State... While women have helped and are helping the nation splendidly, they must realise that men have not given up their jobs for good by fighting for their country, and doing work which women cannot do. The role of women afte the war. Adapted from a statement from an industrial conference in 1918

I do not believe that any girl minds being a domestic servant. They do mind being made fun of. I suffered much misery by being described as ‘only a servant‘. Invitations to go out with friends state ‘Make sure you do not let it be known that you are a servant. We would not like our friends to mix with servants‘. A maid in 1923, quoted in Janet McCalman, The Impact of the First World War on Female Employment in England, 1971