Uniform is universally seen as both a stamp of authority and of official acceptance. But the sight of a woman in military uniform still provokes controversy. Although more women are now taking prominent roles in combat, the status implied by uniform is often regarded as contrary to the general perception of womanhood. This study of the image of uniformed women, both in conflict and in civilian roles throughout the 20th century examines the extraordinary range of jobs that uniformed women have performed, from nursing to the armed services. Through complementary correspondence and many personal stories Kate Adiee brings the enormous and often unsung achievements of women in uniform to life and looks at how far women have come in a century which, for them, began restricted in corsets and has ended on the battlefield in camouflage.

Author Biography

Kate Adie is best known for her penetrating reporting from war zones and other danger spots around the world. Credited as the first British female television war correspondent, she has spent much of her career in close contact with the Royal Navy, RAF and Army and has always had a keen interest in military history. She currently presents the long-running From Our Own Correspondent programme on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service and serves as a trustee of the Imperial War Museum.