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After the outbreak of war, factories converted to making munitions, employing women in lieu of men who had gone to France to fight. This pamphlet, published by the Imperial Munitions Board of Canada in 1916, is made up of photos highlighting women at work. The images cover a wide range of factory work: from the production of 18-pounder shells to the inspection of cartridge cases and more. In addition to photographs, the pamphlet’s text emphasizes the competency of women as labourers. Munition production was often physically demanding, but as the pamphlet states: “there is no operation on shell work that a woman cannot do and, as a matter of fact, is not doing” (Canada, Imperial Munitions Board, 27). Please find partial transcription below.

(Canada, Imperial Munitions Board, Women in the Production of Munitions in Canada, Ottawa, November 1916, University of Guelph Library.)

The Sectional Index, which provides an outline of the sorts of work pictured, and an excerpt of the Preface are transcribed.

Women in the Production of Munitions in Canada

Sectional Index

Section 1 - Shell Fuses

Section 2 - Light Operations; 18-pounder Steel Sockets; Tool Room; Cartridge Case Clips; Inspection; Cartridge Cases; Primers

Section 3 - General Operations on 18-Pounders

Section 4 - 4.5 and 8 Inch Shells

Section5 - Hospital, Lunch Room and General Accommodation

Preface

This book has been prepared and issued by the Imperial Munitions Board with a view of emphasising the practicability of woman labour in the production of munitions of war in this Country.

The photographs have been taken under the direction of the Board's Engineering Department and, to those associated with the manufacture of Munitions, will convey a technical meaning that we trust may be helpful. To others, it will broadly evidence the magnificent manner in which the womanhood of Canada, nobly backed by the workmen concerned, have rallied to the force behind the man behind the gun.

...

Mark H. Irish, Director, Department of Labour, Imperial Munitions Board, Canada

November 1916

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