With so many men sent out to the front line during the First World War (1914-1918) the role of women on the home front became very important.
The women of the Lyttelton family got involved in many charities and projects. Katherine Lyttelton supported and aided the Belgian refugees, helping to house and find work for them, as part of the Chelsea War Refugees’ Fund. She also aided the collection of funds and supplies for those still in Belgium. In a letter from 1918, she was awarded the Queen Elisabeth Medal by the King of Belgium for her services to the refugees.
A booklet for the Chelsea War Refugees’ Fund held here at the archives lists the industries in which Belgian refugees found work whilst in England. Belgian women aided the war effort by making surgical dressings, military shirts, and socks to name just a few. In return for this work they were paid and their children cared for and fed.
Two booklets written by Lavinia Talbot, addressed to girls and mothers, made suggestions on how to behave and how to help during the War. Ideas included keeping up with newspaper reports of the war, learning how to cook economically and learning how to garden. One excerpt reads; 'do not let a mischievous excitement and restlessness, caused by the neighbourhood of these large camps of men, hinder you from doing your best at home … in serving your country bravely and nobly, helping in every way you can.'
To mark the centenary of the First World War QMUL Archives have put together an exhibition of archival material from both the Home Front and Front Line. This exhibition can be viewed on the second floor of Mile End Library or found online in the archive galleries.
For more information and insights into the First World War you can also visit the Imperial War Museum’s newly opened exhibition, for more details please visit their website.