The Women of World War II — Attraction in London

‘The Women of World War II’ monument at Whitehall, London.

Carry on down Whitehall and in the centre of the road is a large black-coloured bronze memorial with ‘The Women of World War II’ written on the side of it. Several helmets and uniforms have been sculpted as if hanging from pegs around the outside. You do not need to cross the road to see the memorial, only stand where it is safe to do so.

This huge, bronze monument memorialises the women of World War II. It was unveiled in 2005 and the gold lettering on it is said to mimic the font of wartime ration books.

Around the outside, you can see 17 different sculpted uniforms and helmets. These uniforms represent hundreds of vital jobs undertaken by over 7 million women during the Second World War. However, when the war ended and the men returned to their jobs, women were forced to quietly hang up their uniforms and resign; they were expected to return to their lives before the war, often in more domestic roles.

Let the women of Britain come forward’ said Churchill. Over seven million women volunteered for the armed services and supporting roles in ammunitions factories, first aid and the Land Army, in the Second World War; 450,000 were conscripted into the armed forces.

The cause of the women of World War II was championed by Baroness Boothroyd, who raised some of the £1 million on a celebrity episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Other funds were raised by a charitable trust run by volunteers in York. The memorial replaced a statue of Sir Walter Raleigh, which was moved to Greenwich. The memorial was unveiled by the Queen in 2005, on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Military helicopters flown by all- female crews flew past the memorial to mark the occasion. The London Evening Standard claimed that the swap was an example of New Labour rewriting history. The buccaneering explorer was banished because he was male, imperialist and had introduced tobacco to Britain. A statue to women was more politically correct.

It's Architecture was done by Architect John W. Mills (b. 1933) trained at Hammersmith and the Royal College of Art before completing national Service. From an early stage he specialised in figurative sculpture in metal, and has been President of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1982 and 1997. His other commemorative work includes the D-Day coin for the Royal Mint, The William Blake memorial, as well as a number of...

The Women of World War II monument in London stands as a striking tribute to the millions of women who contributed to the war effort between 1939 and 1945. Located on Whitehall, this 22-foot-high bronze sculpture was unveiled in 2005 and serves as a solemn yet powerful reminder of the diverse roles women took on during the war.

Designed by John W. Mills, the monument is minimalist yet deeply symbolic. Instead of depicting individual figures, it features a collection of uniforms and work attire hanging as if left behind, representing the countless women who stepped into roles traditionally held by men. These include military uniforms, factory overalls, and even attire for the Land Army and the Women’s Voluntary Service. The absence of figures underscores the temporary nature of their wartime service and the sacrifices they made.

The monument’s simplicity and elegance make it a poignant focal point on Whitehall, a street lined with war memorials. It effectively conveys the magnitude of women’s contributions while maintaining a dignified, understated presence. For visitors, it is a must-see tribute to the resilience and courage of women during World War II, ensuring their efforts are not forgotten in the broader narrative of...

The Monument to the Women of World War II is a British national war memorial situated on Whitehall in London, to the north of the Cenotaph. It was sculpted by John W. Mills, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II and dedicated by Baroness Boothroyd in July 2005. Fundraising was conducted by a charitable trust set up for the purpose of establishing a memorial, with the National Heritage Memorial Fund donating towards the project. Baroness Boothroyd also raised money on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The initial design involved a female Air Raid Warden sheltering children; however, this was simplified until it became the final design. The bronze monument stands 22 feet (6.7 m) high, 16 feet (4.9 m) long and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide. The lettering on the sides replicates the typeface used on war time ration books. There are 17 individual sets of clothing and uniforms around the sides, symbolising the hundreds of different jobs women undertook in World War II and then gave back for the homecoming men at the end of the war. These outfits include uniforms as worn by the Women's Land Army, Women's Royal Naval Service, a nursing cape, a police overall and a...