Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-16
ENGLISH WOMEN
WORK IN FRANCE
Army Of Skirted Warriors Serv-
ing as Auxiliary Aids Back
of Fighting Lines.
UNDER FEMALE COMMANDERS
Wear Uniforms That Indicate
Rank and Branch of Service
to Which They Belong.
UNDER FEMALE COMMANDERS

LONDON, September 15.--Great Brit
soldiers. The experiment Of sending
members OF tho fair sex to France
for auxiliary work behind the front
has turned out so well that the num-
riors' aids) will be largely increased.
or a large number OF young women
sent TO France about three months
ago only three have been returned
home. and these rather for stupidity
than for wlllful disobedience. On tho
whole. the tria. has proved a mag
nincient success.
The girls wear uniforms and are
comma nded by women, the latter hav-
ing their rank indicated quite ftting-
l. by shoulder badges OF roses and
neurs -de-lis.
Details of he work OF the women's
ARMY are contained in an Army Coun-
ell instr dction. which states that the
object OF the "orps is to effect sub
tain empioyments at home. at tho
bases. and on the lines OF communica-
ton overseas.
Except In the cases where the en-
ployment OF soldier would other
wise have en- officially authorized,
no woman OF the corps will be en-
ploycd Unless n soldier Is thereby re-
licved for other purposes.
At home tho women will gradually
be introduced into command. garrison.
and rcsimental employments. the last
including olficers' and sergeants' mess
clerks. tailors. cooks. librarians. COM
pany storemen. shoemakers. quarter
masters stsrenen, and orderlies.
Eventually. however. women will be
| substituted. In the ratio Of three wo-
men, to four men. In the following
empioyments, both at home and over
seas:
Clerks. Librarians. accountants. ty-
pists shorthand typists. cooks. wine
Mattresses. Mattresses, buffers, domes-
tic work. motor transport service. tat
lors, savers. storchouse women, check
ers. packers and unskilled labor. mes
senEers, shoemakers. bakers. teiephon.
and postal services. miscellaneous SER
vices. aud technical women with mo-
| tor transporD.
WILL AILG" SOME WOMEN
To LIVE IN THEIR HOME5
When circumstances permit, women
| on certain duties may live at home;
otherwise. both in this country add
abroad. they will 1--we in oillets ana
E"stels Thev viii have Uniform al
iawsnre. which will provide Than with
| -
greutcoat OF ar,::y pattern. khaki
coluiet: coat fr,ck. stockings shoes.
| leEEings and brown felt hat. The
| higher grades will wear khaki coat
| and skirt.
Shoulder straps. insert with color.
will denote. the various sections-blus
for those the headquarters and
| orange for the administrators. Mem
| bers of the domestic section have scar
let shoulder straps; clerical. brown;
| mechanical. claret: miscellaneous pur-
| pie. The badge OF the corps Is a laurel
wreath surrounding the initials W. A.
| A. c., and this will be worn by all
women in the corps.
In the hostels all women OF the corps
below the grade corresponding to
| army officers are treated in exactly tho
same way. There is no feeling Of class
distinction. The cook earning $3.50 a
year. for the social purposes of tho
corps. Is on an equality with the short
hand typist who earns 1897 a week.
| Every endcavor Is made to allow
| friends to be together as much as pos
sible.
When OF duty the women will have
a good deal OF liberty. and the discI-
pine Will not be irksome. They must
wear their uniforms on all occasions.
There are certain restrictions regarding
admission to cafes and estaminets in
France, but the administrator may
sanction Invitations to men to the pub
| lie recreation rooms OF the hosteIs.
All women Joining the corps will
be required to sign a form Of enroll
| ment for year or the duration of tho
war, whichever is the longer. Tho
minimum age for service at home will
be eighteen. and for service overseas
twenty.