Voices of Scotswomen in Peace and War: Spoken Recollections of Home Life, Employment and 1939-45 War Service

During World War II, 19 Scotswomen served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), Womens Royal Naval Service (WRNS), or Timber Corps. They were interviewed between 1998 and 2005 and came from towns and villages throughout Scotland. The war changed their lives, and they formed close and lasting friendships, with some of the war years being the happiest of their lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2019
Publisher: John Donald Publishers Ltd

During the Second World War, thousands of women served with various military branches, including the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), the Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), the Womens Royal Naval Service (WRNS), and the Timber Corps. In this book, 19 Scotswomen who served in the war share their personal stories. The women, born between 1918 and 1926, were interviewed between 1998 and 2005 and hailed from towns and villages across Scotland.

The 1939–45 War brought about significant changes in the lives of many women, who were abruptly pulled from their everyday routines and thrust into perilous and unfamiliar experiences. One woman, for instance, left her job as a baker in Glasgow and found herself aboard a troopship bound for Naples at the beginning of 1945. Another woman, serving as an officer in the WRNS, made three transatlantic crossings. Incredibly, one woman narrowly escaped death when a German bomber destroyed 26 of her ATS colleagues at Yarmouth.

Despite the dangers and challenges they faced, many women formed close and lasting friendships during the war. For some, the war years were the happiest of their lives. These captivating stories, told in the women's own words, vividly showcase the diverse and vital roles that women played during this period. The women's experiences serve as a testament to their resilience, courage, and determination in the face of adversity.

The contributions of these wartime women are often overlooked or underestimated, but their bravery and selflessness should be recognized and celebrated. Their stories remind us of the important role that women played in shaping the course of history and the sacrifices they made to ensure the safety and freedom of their nations.

Weight: 726g
Dimension: 232 x 162 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910900321