Khaki Girls, VADs, and Tommy's Sisters: Gender and Class in First World War Britain

Class and social status determined how women's contributions to the war effort were viewed. Whereas the upper class was able to transfer traditional charitable activity to the support of the war effort, and some members of the middle class were accepted as amateur nurses (particularly as members of Voluntary Aid Detachments, or VADs), the lower classes and those who adopted nontraditional roles (particularly members of paramilitary and auxiliary organizations who wore military-style uniforms, so-called "khaki girls") received more criticism and scorn from all quarters.