WW1 women at work: In pictures

Prior to the First World War, less than 10 per cent of the female population were actively employed. But by the outbreak of the war, this number had risen three fold. Here, exclusive to Telegraph Wonder Women, we showcase rarely seen images of women at war - from agriculture to army recruits and the ladies' fire brigade

03 August 2014 • 7:03am

Prior to the First World War, less than 10 per cent of the female population were actively employed. But by the outbreak of the war, this number had risen three fold. Here, exclusive to Telegraph Wonder Women, we showcase rarely seen images of women at war - from agriculture to army recruits and the ladies' fire brigade. Thanks to Matthew Butson, Vice President of Getty Images’ Hulton Archive, which houses extensive WWI archival content Here, members of the Women's Land Army smile as they hold their tools aloft while climbing over a gate, 1916 Picture: IWN/GETTY IMAGES Credit: IWN/GETTY IMAGES

Members of the women's police service, 1916

Members of the women's police service, 1916Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Women replace the traditionally male porters at Marylebone Station in London during the First World War — Women replace the traditionally male porters at Marylebone Station in London during the First World WarPicture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Members of the Women's Fire Brigade on a fire drill with hoses and extingushers at full force, 1916 — Members of the Women's Fire Brigade on a fire drill with hoses and extingushers at full force, 1916Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Members of the Women's Fire Brigade with their Chief Officer, March 1916 — Members of the Women's Fire Brigade with their Chief Officer, March 1916Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Five ambulance drivers of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) at Calais, January 1917 — Five ambulance drivers of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) at Calais, January 1917Picture: IWM/GETTY IMAGES Credit: IWM/GETTY IMAGES

Women working in an engineering shop, 1917 — Women working in an engineering shop, 1917Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

A line of bus conductorettes marching into their depot for the start of a day's work — A line of bus conductorettes marching into their depot for the start of a day's work, Spetember 1917Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

A female mechanic works under an automobile while performing repairs to the vehicle, 1917 — A female mechanic works under an automobile while performing repairs to the vehicle, 1917Picture: GETTY IMAGES Credit: GETTY IMAGES

motorcyclist with the Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) on a Clyno motorcycle combination, circa 1916 — A motorcyclist with the Women's Royal Flying Corps. on a Clyno motorcycle combination, circa 1916Picture: IWM VIA GETTY IMAGES Credit: IWM VIA GETTY IMAGES

Women's Army recruits drilling, May 1917 — Women's Army recruits drilling, May 1917Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

A young woman in an armaments factory, circa 1916 — A young woman in an armaments factory, circa 1916Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

A propaganda poster — A propaganda posterPicture: GETTY IMAGES Credit: GETTY IMAGES

A munitions worker welding at a workbench, circa 1915 — A munitions worker welding at a workbench, circa 1915Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

A member of the Women Porters at Marylebone Station giving a Great Central Railways carriage a thorough clean, circa 1914 — A member of the Women Porters at Marylebone Station giving a Great Central Railways carriage a thorough clean, circa 1914Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Two women sweeping the road in Chiswick, London, 1914 — Two women sweeping the road in Chiswick, London, 1914Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Women in a Vickers factory making shell casings — Women in a Vickers factory making shell casings, 1915Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

A group of nurses at Hamworth Hall which served as a Red Cross Hospital, 1915

Lady navvies pushing loaded wheel barrows in Coventry, 1917 — Lady navvies pushing loaded wheel barrows in Coventry, 1917Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

Women war workers feed the charcoal kilns used for purifying sugar at a refinery in Scotland, circa 1916 — Women war workers feed the charcoal kilns used for purifying sugar at a refinery in Scotland, circa 1916Picture: GP LEWIS/IWM VIA GETTY IMAGES Credit: GP LEWIS/IWM VIA GETTY IMAGES

Women at Vickers fitting interior tubes inside the shell casings, 1914 — Women at Vickers fitting interior tubes inside the shell casings, 1914Picture: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES Credit: HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES