'Every Fit Woman Can Release a Fit Man', Women's Army Auxiliary Corps recruiting poster, 1918 (c)

Colour photolithograph recruiting poster, artist unknown, printed by Dangerfield Printing Co Ltd, 1918 (c).

The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) were formed to free up valuable and experienced soldiers from the rear areas for front line service. The WAACs arrived on the Western Front on 31 March 1917, under their first commander in France, Assistant Controller Helen Gwynne Vaughan. As well as cooking and waiting on officers, they served as clerks, telephone operators, store-women, drivers, printers, bakers and cemetery gardeners.