Salute to the ‘secret army’ who tirelessly did their bit

GIRL Guides were hired by MI5 after finding Scouts “too chatty” to be trusted with top secret documents. Between 1914 and 1918 the Guides were messengers for MI5 at its London HQs. The service employed scouts when the war started, but found them talkative so guides were brought in. TOXIC explosives turned the skin of women factory workers yellow, with often fatal results .

The “Canary Girls” were among 950,000 female munitions workers.

Many did 12-hour days, six days a week for a wage of 30 shillings, making cordite and TNT, filling shells and bullets. AS we unite to salute the Great War dead, CHARLES WADE-PALMER reveals some unsung heroes.

The Royal British Legion is leading a national movement to say “Thank You” to the countless men, women and young people who played their part in the war effort.

You can find out more at rbl.org.uk/thankyou.