Women at the Ready

The Remarkable Story of the Women's Voluntary Services on the Home Front

By: Patricia Malcolmson, Robert Malcolmson

Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson

From the summer of 1938, British women from all walks of life joined the Women's Voluntary Services (WVS). This disparate band of women came together for the common good - to help serve and protect their communities. By 1941 a million women had enrolled. These brave and dutiful women played a vital role in Britain's victory.

The positive impact of the WVS on wartime society was universally acknowledged. They were instrumental in implementing the large-scale evacuation of children from bomb-targeted cities, in the care of the wounded, and in keeping those in war service fed. Lady Reading, founder and fearless leader, was one of the most influential women in twentieth-century Britain.

The story of the WVS has never been fully told before. Social historians Patricia and Robert Malcolmson bring this vital part of the Second World War to life in a vivid and engaging way through the diaries and records of the women serving their country on the Home Front. Women at the Ready promises to be a magnificent saga of sacrifice and determination.

©2013 Patricia Malcolmson and Robert Malcolmson (P)2013 Hachette Audio

A great book about a group of unsung heroes

"Women at the Ready" by Patricia Malcomson and Robert Malcolmson is a great book about the WVS (Women's Voluntary Service") This a service staff by volunteers who in World War 2 Great Britian who did anything that was asked of them to help the nation. This could be from serving a canteen, to helping a new mother or helping out during a raid. 241 WVS members would be killed during the war. The end of the war didn't mean the end of the WVS. In 1952 Queen Elizabeth and then 1966, she awarded the service the honor of adding 'Royal' to its title, it is becoming the Women's Royal Voluntary Service. Even today RVS (Royal Voluntary Service) is active in during crisis such as the disaster at Lockerbie and the Covid 19 pandemic.

Very Interesting Story ....Well Told

I really enjoyed learning about the WVS (Women's Voluntary Services) and their
amazing work during WW2 . Hearing the details of the scope of what the women in
this incredible organization accomplished for evacuees, displaced persons and victims of the Blltz was nothing short of incredible.
Without the hard work of these selfless women the suffering in England during the war years would have been far worse.
Good narration made this book well worth listening the 11 and 1/2 hours.