Information Now
Newcastle City Council
Provided by Newcastle City Council, Adult Social Care and Integrated Services
Recite me toolbar icon. Click to translate, read aloud or change the look of this site
Looking for a warm place to spend time and get support in Newcastle?
Wellbeing Hubs are warm welcoming local venues, such as libraries and community centres where you can spend time and get support such as hot drinks, free wifi, a place to charge your devices, information, advice and more. You can use our Wellbeing Hub finder to find your nearest hub.
Loading Events

Empire and Allied Women in World War 1 and World War 2

Date: Tuesday 4 Feb 2025

Time: 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Cost: Free

This event is now finished. Please visit our Events and Activities section to find out about other events which are coming soon.

Why did Black West Indian women from the British Empire struggle to participate in World War 2 in Britain? Join Barbara Ellis to learn about the problems they faced and how they overcame them and contributed to World War 1 and World War 2. In March 1942, the British War Office made it clear which women they wanted in their armed forces.

“We are prepared to accept any suitable European woman from the colonies (West Indies) for enrolment in the ATS…(but) I must emphasise that this applies to European women only and that we cannot agree to accept coloured women for service in this country.”  Brigadier Alan Pigott (War Office) to Amber Thomas (Colonial Office, West Indies), March 1942.

Two hundred white West Indian women were sent to the British Embassy in Washington DC at the start of World War 2 to support the war effort. Many women of European descent went to Britain and joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (the women’s branch of the British Army).  They served in leadership and a variety of prestigious roles in the service.

Book Online

Last updated: January 10, 2025

Venue details

Venue address:
Bewick Hall, Level 2
Newcastle City Library
33 New Bridge Street West
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8AX

Find on Google Maps

Scroll to the top of the page