This work investigates the multifaceted contributions and experiences of Australian women serving in various capacities during global conflicts throughout the twentieth century. Patsy Adam-Smith, a noted Australian historian and author, utilizes extensive primary source research, including personal interviews, letters, and diaries, to reconstruct the lived realities of women in wartime. The text argues that the domestic and international contributions of these women were integral to the national war effort, despite often being overlooked in traditional military narratives.

Historians and scholars frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the gendered dimensions of Australian military history. Readers often note the extensive use of primary source material, which provides a humanizing perspective on the institutional history of the Australian armed forces.