THE staggering contribution women made to the war effort in between 1914 and 1918 is a little understood part of Welsh history.

However, the pioneering work of Professional Deidre Beddow of Barry has shone a light on the huge part women played. She was the guest speaker at the annual dinner of Dinas Powys Plaid Cymru and entertained the audience with an insight into work behind the front lines.

The initial impact in 1914 was to see women employment fall as the middle classes dispensed with domestic staff. Wives faced very difficult times with pay from solders often being delayed for months and even a lack of food. However quickly as the state moved into a total war attitude there was demand for female labour for the production of blankets, uniforms and caps.

There was massive growth of the Voluntary Aid Detachment to provide nursing care. There were two hospitals in both Barry and Penarth and St Winifred’s, now Cwrt Newydd, at the junction of Cardiff Road and Elmgrove Road. More than 521 patients were nursed at St Winifreds. Although nursing was the traditional face of women’s work in fact they were a driving force to supply munitions. Huge factories were built across Wales mainly employing women.

There were major factories in Wales including the Pembrey site which was the first to produce TNT in the UK. Although the work was well paid the cost in terms of injury and health was very significant.

So although much is known about the Second World War and the Land Army in reality women across Wales were a vital component in the ‘Great War’. Almost inevitably once the war was over women lost their jobs and thanks to official connivance also lost the benefits they had paid for and were due.

Councillor Steve Thomas gave the vote to thanks on behalf of Plaid Cymru.