Women at Clipstone Camp

Additional to the thousands and thousands of soldiers in uniform who were stationed at Clipstone Camp, in 1918 there was also women in uniform. Members of the WAACs (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps), and the NAACB (Navy And Army Canteen Board).

To date [2015] very little documentary evidence on either of these groups has been discovered and no photographs have been discovered of WAACs, either at the camp, or in the Mansfield area. However in 1918 local newspapers did indicate that hundreds of WAACs were expected at the camp, and one or two are listed in local marriage registers with their address as Clipstone Camp.

NAACB (Navy and Army Canteen Board).

 

 

The two photographs above show smartly turned out women of the NAACB. An indication of the work these women may have undertaken is given by an advert in the Nottingham Evening Post 28th October 1918

WANTED IMMEDIATELY

FOR ARMY CANTEENS

 Female Charge Hands, Waitresses, Cooks and Kitchen Maids

good wages given, references required.

 Apply by letter only to

 Army and Navy Canteen Board, Dunham Chambers,

 Pelham Street, Nottingham or nearest Employment Exchange

Three of the ladies in the photograph below are wearing identical clothing, the other could be their supervisor, who is believed to be Ada Langford, but to which group of uniformed ladies they belong to is unknown. All that is written on the back of the picture is ‘Christmas 1918, Clipstone Camp’.

 

 

Private collection
Private collection
Private collection

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