During the First World War Royal Mail employed thousands of temporary workers, including women taking on roles which were previously the reserve of men. This graphic newspaper illustration shows postwomen leaving the sorting office laden with envelopes, ready to start delivering the mail. The headline reads: 'THE LADIES OF THE LOAN/ POSTWOMEN DELIVERING WAR LOAN PROSPECTUSES'. War Loans, or war bonds as they are sometimes known, were issued by a government to finance military operations and other expenditure in times of war.