Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps personnel playing hockey, 1917 circa (b/w photo)

Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps playing hockey with male soldiers, 1917 circa. Photograph, World War One (1914-1918), 1917 circa. The high command had encouraged female participation in sport ever since the formation of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1917. However, for many years there were restrictions on which pursuits were available to women in the Army. Many senior officers believed excessive physical activity would render women ‘sexless’ and ‘sterile’. They therefore recommended sports which were considered ‘suitable’ for women, such as tennis, cricket, archery, badminton, hockey, netball and swimming. From an album containing 237 photographs relating to the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps (QMAAC), 1917-1918.