Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Element of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War}} |
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{{Infobox Military Unit |
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{{Infobox military unit |
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|unit_name= Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Women's Division |
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|unit_name= Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division |
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| image= RCAF WD Recruiting.jpg |
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|caption= Royal Canadian Air Force Ensign |
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| image_size = 250 |
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|dates= 1941-1946 |
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|caption= RCAF Women's Division recruiting poster |
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|country= Canada |
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|dates= 1941–1946 |
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|allegiance= Canada |
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|country= {{flag|Canada|1921}} |
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|branch= Element of the Royal Canadian Air Force |
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|branch= {{air force|Canada}} |
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|type= |
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|type= |
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|role= Operational support. Various duties. |
|role= Operational support. Various duties. |
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|size= |
|size= 17,038 personnel |
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|command_structure= |
|command_structure= |
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|garrison= |
|garrison= |
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|garrison_label= |
|garrison_label= |
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|nickname= "WD" |
|nickname= "WD" |
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|patron= |
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|patron= HRH [[Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone]] |
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|motto= ''We Serve That Men May Fly'' |
|motto= ''We Serve That Men May Fly'' |
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|colors= |
|colors= |
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|disbanded= December 1946 |
|disbanded= December 1946 |
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<!-- Commanders --> |
<!-- Commanders --> |
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|commander1= |
|commander1=[[Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone]] |
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|commander1_label= |
|commander1_label=Honorary Air Commandant |
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|commander2= |
|commander2= |
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|commander3= |
|commander3= |
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|commander3_label= |
|commander3_label= |
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|notable_commanders= |
|notable_commanders=Wing Officer Wilhelmina (Willa) Walker |
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<!-- Insignia --> |
<!-- Insignia --> |
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|identification_symbol= |
|identification_symbol= [[Image:Rcaf womens.jpg|150px]] |
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|identification_symbol_label= |
|identification_symbol_label=RCAF Women's Division badge |
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The '''Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division''' was |
The '''Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division''' was a [[non-combatant]] element of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force (pre-unification)|Royal Canadian Air Force]] (RCAF) which was active during the [[Second World War]]. The Women's Division's original role was to replace male air force personnel so that they would be available for combat-related duties. First called the ''Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force'' (CWAAF), the name changed to ''Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division'' in February 1942. Women's Division personnel were commonly known as ''WD''s. |
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The RCAF was the first branch of the Canadian armed services to actively recruit women.<ref name="reprint">[http://airforceapp.forces.gc.ca/CFAWC/eLibrary/Journal/2012-Vol1/Iss1-Winter/Sections/08-RCAF_Womens_Division_e.pdf ''RCAF Women's Division'' Reprint from ''Roundel'', Vol. 3, No. 3. October 1993.] Retrieved 13 February 2015</ref> |
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The Women's Division was originally called the ''Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force'' (CWAAF), which formed in July 1941. The change to ''Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division'' occurred in February 1942. Women's Division personnel were commonly known as ''WD''s. |
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==History== |
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[[Image:WDposter.png|thumb|left|Part of a Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division recruitment poster.]] |
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[[Image:News. Girls of the Air Force BAnQ P48S1P07085.jpg|thumb|Women of the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force, 1941]] |
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[[Image:RCAF Uplands WD Timekeepers.jpg|thumb|Timekeeping personnel of the RCAF Women's Division, No. 2 Service Flying Training School, [[CFB Uplands|RCAF Station Uplands]], 1942]] |
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[[Image:RCAF WD Uniform.jpg|thumb|Women's Division airwoman modelling WD uniform. [[RCAF Station Rockcliffe]], Ontario, 1942]] |
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[[Image:RCAF WD Uniform display.jpg|thumb|Devlin's department store window display of RCAF Women's Division uniforms with recruiting posters, Ottawa, Ontario, 1943]] |
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[[Image:Alice, HRH Countess of Athlone.jpg|thumb|Princess Alice wearing a First Aid Nursing Yeomanry uniform. Princess Alice was Honorary Air Commandant of the Women's Division]] |
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[[image:Yousuf-Karsh-Willa-Walker.jpg|thumb|Wilhelmina (Willa) Walker was the Commander of the Women's Division.]] |
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At the beginning of the war, Canadian women began pressing for the right to be allowed to join the war effort. This, along with manpower shortages, led to the air force conceding that women could help the war effort by taking over many men's duties with the aim of freeing up men for work that was directly related to combat. The [[Royal Air Force]] suggested that the RCAF form its own women's unit much like the RAF [[Women's Auxiliary Air Force]] (WAAF). In June 1941, the government formally decided to allow the enlistment of women in the armed services. The [[order-in-council]], issued on 2 July 1941, authorized "the formation of a component of the Royal Canadian Air Force to be known as the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force, its function being to release to heavier duties those members of the RCAF employed in administrative, clerical and other comparable types of service employment".<ref>Ziegler 1973, p. 6.</ref> |
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At the beginning of the war, the RCAF was experiencing a shortage of personnel. Men were needed for combat duties overseas and for training duties at [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] schools across [[Canada]]. To allow as many men as possible to contribute to wartime operational duties, WDs took over many responsibilities once held by men. The original 1941 [[order-in-council]] authorized "''the formation of a component of the Royal Canadian Air Force to be known as the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force, it's function being to release to heavier duties those members of the RCAF employed in administrative, clerical and other comparable types of service employment.''" Duties, however, expanded as the war progressed. Among the many jobs carried out by WD personnel, they became clerks, drivers, fabric workers, hairdressers, hospital assistants, instrument mechanics, [[parachute]] riggers, photographers, air photo interpreters, intelligence officers, instructors, weather observers, pharmacists, [[wireless]] operators, and [[Royal Canadian Air Force Police|Service Police]]. Many WDs served overseas with [[No. 6 Group RCAF|No. 6 (bomber) Group]]. Over 17,400 women served with the Women's Division before it was discontinued in December 1946.<ref>Granatstein 1989, p. 36.</ref> Thirty WDs died during the war.<ref>Greenhous 1999, p. 120.</ref> |
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The CWAAF was modelled on and structured like the Royal Air Force Women's Auxiliary Air Force. To assist with the organizing of the new RCAF women's unit, several WAAF officers were temporarily loaned by the RAF.<ref>Ziegler 1973, p. 8.</ref> Since the CWAAF became an integral part of the RCAF, another order-in-council changed the CWAAF to the RCAF Women's Division (WD) on 3 February 1942.<ref name="reprint"/> |
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During the war Princess [[Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone|Alice]], the then [[Viceregal consort of Canada|viceregal consort]] of [[Governor General of Canada|Govenror General]] [[Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone|Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone]], served as Honorary Air Commandant of the Women's Division. |
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Originally, only nine trades were open to women; however, duties expanded as the war progressed and 69 trades became available. Among the many jobs carried out by WD personnel, they became clerks, telephone operators, drivers, fabric workers, hairdressers, hospital assistants, instrument mechanics, [[parachute]] riggers, photographers, air photo interpreters, intelligence officers, instructors, weather observers, pharmacists, [[wireless]] operators, and [[Royal Canadian Air Force Police|Service Police]]. RCAF regulations at the time precluded women who possessed flying licences from flight instructing or front-line duty.<ref>Barris 2005, pp. 302-303.</ref> Most WDs were located at [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] and RAF training stations across Canada and Newfoundland, many served in Canadian operational stations, some served in the United States and many were posted overseas with [[RCAF Overseas Headquarters]] and [[No. 6 Group RCAF|No. 6 (bomber) Group]]. |
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[[Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone]], wife of Governor General the [[Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone|Earl of Athlone]], was Honorary Air Commandant of the Women's Division. |
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A total of 17,038 women served with the Women's Division before it was discontinued in December 1946. Twenty WDs received the [[British Empire Medal|BEM]], 12 officers received the [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]], and one officer, Dr. [[Jean Davey]], was awarded the [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]]. Twenty-eight WDs died during the war from various causes.<ref>Ziegler 1972, p.159.</ref> |
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A memorial dedicated to the Women's Division was placed at [[CFB Trenton]] in 2009. The inscription reads: "We Serve That Men May Fly" "Dedicated to more than 17,000 women who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division 1941–1946".<ref>[https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/national-inventory-canadian-memorials/details/7959 RCAF Women's Division Memorial] Veterans Affairs Canada. Retrieved 3 December 2020</ref> |
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Women were again permitted to enter the RCAF in 1951 when the air force was expanding to cover Canada's [[NATO]] commitments.<ref>Ziegler 1972, p. 160.</ref> Women were accepted as military pilots in 1980, and Canada became the first Western country to allow women to be fighter pilots in 1988.<ref>[http://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/the-royal-canadian-air-force-womens-division/ "The Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division."] ''Juno Beach.'' Retrieved 10 February 2015</ref> |
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==Recruitment== |
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Newspapers and radio were used for publicity. Many recruits were attracted by recruiting posters and pamphlets, and many were influenced by a WD [[Exhibition drill|precision squad]] that travelled across Canada. Officers also travelled across Canada to encourage recruitment. Tours of WD facilities were arranged. Films such as ''[[Proudly She Marches]]'' publicized the Women's Division, and photographs of WDs in uniform taken by Ottawa photographer [[Yousuf Karsh]] attracted interest.<ref name="ziegler9">Ziegler 1973, p. 9.</ref><ref>Ziegler 1973, pp 114-118</ref> |
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At first, 150 women, slated to be officers and NCOs, were specially selected for having the necessary qualifications judged on character, intelligence, leadership potential, and ability to take responsibility. They were expected to have experience in business or social work and with working with people, and have organizing ability.<ref name="ziegler9"/> The women chosen were the very best of applicants; 70% of them had some high school education and 7% had been to university.<ref>Pierson 1983, p. 5.</ref> The criteria were more demanding since they were going to be the leaders of the Women's Division. |
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For general recruitment, women had to be between 21 and 41 years old, had to pass medical tests, be at least five feet tall, have a normal weight, must have been accepted to high school, be able to pass a trade aptitude test, be of good character, not be married with children under her care, and not hold a permanent civil service appointment.<ref name="ziegler9"/> |
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==Training== |
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Selected recruits were sent to manning depot where they learned "drill, deportment, discipline, service customs, etiquette [and the] king's regulations".<ref>Whitton 1942, p.13</ref> Selection for trade training was also handled at the manning depot. Some of the trades that were taught at various locations across Canada included [[meteorology]], food preparation, [[air traffic control]], parachute rigging, photo interpretation, photography, typing, administration, wireless operation, and police work. |
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==Living conditions== |
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Most WDs lived in [[barracks]], each wing of which typically accommodated approximately 68 women.<ref>Gossage 2001, p. 148.</ref> WDs who worked at Air Force Headquarters in Ottawa lived in a barrack block that housed up to 800 airwomen. The barracks weren't well insulated. During winter some had to sleep with their uniforms to keep warm while some found unusual ways to insulate their mattresses such as using newspapers.<ref>Gossage 2001, p. 168.</ref> In locations such as cities where government housing was not available, personnel would live in private accommodations and receive an allowance to pay for room, board, and transportation. |
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Baseball, basketball, and hockey were popular. Women had their own team when there was enough of them on a base, otherwise, they would join the men's team. Depending on station facilities, other activities included golfing, horseback riding, track and field, skiing, swimming, tennis, and skating. Annual summer sports days were arranged to promote "healthy minds in healthy bodies".<ref>Ziegler 1973, pp. 91-93 and Gossage 2001, p. 156.</ref> Bases often organized dances, musical concerts, talent shows and showed films.<ref>Ziegler 1973, p. 89 and Gossage 2001, p. 156.</ref> |
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==Uniform== |
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The Women's Division uniform was based on the British WAAF uniform. The kit consisted of a blue-grey ("air force blue") tunic and skirt, blue shirt, black necktie, [[greatcoat]], rain coat, black shoes, navy blue cardigan, blue smock, overshoes, [[Cotton#Uses|lisle]] grey stockings, gloves, [[khaki]] coveralls, grey shorts, tee shirt, summer dress, rank badges and a cap with a pleated crown. A battle dress uniform was issued to those who would be exposed to bad weather. In some instances, lined ski pants, parka, and winter cap with ear flaps were issued. Airwomen who served outside Canada wore a "Canada" flash on the shoulders. |
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The uniform changed somewhat in 1943. The new uniform, which was meant to be primarily worn off the stations, added a pleat to the greatcoat and the skirt was changed to a six-[[Gore (segment)|gore]] pattern. The pleated tunic pockets were replaced with flat patch pockets below and false pockets above, and the belt became detachable. A blue [[leatherette]] shoulder bag was added. The cap was replaced with one with a [[kepi]]-style with a deep visor and higher stiffened front. |
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The summer uniform consisted of a blue short-sleeved cotton dress with brass buttons. This was eventually replaced with a light khaki uniform based on the new blue (winter) uniform. |
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==Ranks== |
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The Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division's rank structure was modelled on that of the Royal Air Force's WAAF.<ref>Ziegler 1973, p. 13.</ref> Ranks are listed with the most senior rank at the top and are compared with regular RCAF ranks. |
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{|class="wikitable" |
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!RCAF WD Rank |
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!RCAF equivalent |
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|- |
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|Air Chief Commandant |
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|Air Vice-Marshal |
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|- |
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|Air Commandant |
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|Air Commodore |
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|- |
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|Group Officer |
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|Group Captain |
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|- |
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|Wing Officer |
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|Wing Commander |
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|- |
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|Squadron Officer |
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|Squadron Leader |
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|- |
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|Flight Officer |
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|Flight Lieutenant |
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|- |
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|Section Officer |
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|Flying Officer |
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|- |
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|Assistant Section Officer |
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|Pilot Officer |
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|- |
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|Under Officer 1st Class |
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|Warrant Officer Class 1 |
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|- |
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|Under Officer 2nd Class |
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|Warrant Officer Class 2 |
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|- |
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|Flight Sergeant |
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|Flight Sergeant |
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|- |
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|Sergeant |
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|Sergeant |
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|- |
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|Corporal |
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|Corporal |
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|- |
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|Leading Aircraftwoman |
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|Leading Aircraftman |
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|- |
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|Aircraftwoman 1st Class |
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|Aircraftman 1st Class |
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|- |
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|Aircraftwoman 2nd Class |
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|Aircraftman 2nd Class |
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|} |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Canada}} |
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*[[Canadian Women's Army Corps]] |
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*[[Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service]] |
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*[[Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force]] (Royal Australian Air Force) |
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*[[New Zealand Women's Auxiliary Air Force]] |
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*[[Jean Lee (aircraftwoman)]] - the only [[Chinese Canadian]] woman to serve (as a WD) during the Second World War. |
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==Notes== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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;Notes |
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* Greenhous, Brereton; Halliday, Hugh A. ''Canada's Air Forces, 1914–1999''. Montreal: Editions Art Global and the Department of National Defence, 1999. ISBN 2-920718-72-X. |
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{{reflist}} |
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* Granatstein, J.L.; Morton, Desmond. ''A Nation Forged In Fire - Canadians and the Second World War 1939-1945''. Toronto: Lester & Orpen Dennys Ltd., 1989. ISBN 0-88619-213-7 |
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;Bibliography |
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{{refbegin}} |
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* Barris, Ted. ''Behind The Glory: The Plan that Won the Allied Air War''. Markham, Ontario: Thomas Allen & Son Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|0-88762-212-7}}. |
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* Chartrand, René. [https://books.google.com/books?id=BLRJ_xgxT2cC&dq=rcaf+women%27s+division+uniform+description&pg=PA47 ''Canadian Forces in World War II'']. Osprey Publishing, 2001. {{ISBN|1-84176-302-0}}. Retrieved 16 February 2015 |
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* Gossage, Carolyn. ''Greatcoats and Glamour Boots - Canadian women at war (1939-1945)''. Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2001. No ISBN |
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* Manning, Bill. [http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/MCR/article/view/18049/19351 Research Reports / Rapports de recherches Showcasing the Military Aviation Uniform Collection at the Canada Aviation Museum]. Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation. Retrieved 16 February 2015 |
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* Pierson, Ruth Roach. ''Canadian Women and the Second World War''. Ottawa: Canadian Historical Association, 1983. No ISBN |
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* Whitton, Charlotte. ''Canadian Women in the War Effort''. Toronto: The Macmillan company of Canada limited, 1942. No ISBN |
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* [https://books.google.com/books?id=P_5I4ENEHOIC&dq=rcaf+women%27s+division+uniform&pg=PA244 Wadge, D. Collett, Ed. ''Women in Uniform'']. Imperial War Museum, 2003. {{ISBN|1-901623-61-0}}. pp. 269, 271. Retrieved 14 February 2015 |
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* Ziegler, Mary. ''We Serve That Men May Fly - The Story of the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force''. Hamilton: RCAF (WD) Association, 1973. No ISBN. |
* Ziegler, Mary. ''We Serve That Men May Fly - The Story of the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force''. Hamilton: RCAF (WD) Association, 1973. No ISBN. |
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{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.junobeach.org/canada-in-wwii/articles/the-royal-canadian-air-force-womens-division/ RCAF Women's Division - Description from Juno Beach Centre] |
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* [http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-wds-e.htm RCAF Women's Division - Description from Juno Beach Centre] |
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* [http://www.mpmuseum.org/rcafwd.html RCAF Service Police Women] |
* [http://www.mpmuseum.org/rcafwd.html RCAF Service Police Women] |
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* [http://www.nfb.ca/film/Wings_on_Her_Shoulder/ Watch the 1943 National Film Board of Canada documentary, ''Wings on Her Shoulder''] |
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* [https://www.nfb.ca/film/proudly_she_marches Watch ''Proudly She Marches'' at NFB.ca] |
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* [http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/war-conflict/second-world-war/on-every-front-canadian-women-in-the-second-world-war/the-women-who-serve-that-men-may-fly.html CBC Digital Archives (audio) - ''Women of WWII: The women who serve that men may fly''] |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} |
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[[Category:Royal Canadian Air Force]] |
[[Category:History of the Royal Canadian Air Force]] |
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[[Category:Military |
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]] |
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[[Category:Canadian women in World War II]] |
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[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946]] |
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[[Category:All-female military units and formations]] |
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[[Category:Women in the Canadian armed services]] |
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Latest revision as of 22:10, 4 March 2024
| Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division | |
|---|---|
 RCAF Women's Division recruiting poster | |
| Active | 1941–1946 |
| Disbanded | December 1946 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch |  Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Role | Operational support. Various duties. |
| Size | 17,038 personnel |
| Nickname(s) | "WD" |
| Motto(s) | We Serve That Men May Fly |
| Commanders | |
| Honorary Air Commandant | Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone |
| Notable commanders | Wing Officer Wilhelmina (Willa) Walker |
| Insignia | |
| RCAF Women's Division badge |  |
The Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division was a non-combatant element of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) which was active during the Second World War. The Women's Division's original role was to replace male air force personnel so that they would be available for combat-related duties. First called the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force (CWAAF), the name changed to Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division in February 1942. Women's Division personnel were commonly known as WDs.
The RCAF was the first branch of the Canadian armed services to actively recruit women.[1]
History
[edit]
At the beginning of the war, Canadian women began pressing for the right to be allowed to join the war effort. This, along with manpower shortages, led to the air force conceding that women could help the war effort by taking over many men's duties with the aim of freeing up men for work that was directly related to combat. The Royal Air Force suggested that the RCAF form its own women's unit much like the RAF Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). In June 1941, the government formally decided to allow the enlistment of women in the armed services. The order-in-council, issued on 2 July 1941, authorized "the formation of a component of the Royal Canadian Air Force to be known as the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force, its function being to release to heavier duties those members of the RCAF employed in administrative, clerical and other comparable types of service employment".[2]
The CWAAF was modelled on and structured like the Royal Air Force Women's Auxiliary Air Force. To assist with the organizing of the new RCAF women's unit, several WAAF officers were temporarily loaned by the RAF.[3] Since the CWAAF became an integral part of the RCAF, another order-in-council changed the CWAAF to the RCAF Women's Division (WD) on 3 February 1942.[1]
Originally, only nine trades were open to women; however, duties expanded as the war progressed and 69 trades became available. Among the many jobs carried out by WD personnel, they became clerks, telephone operators, drivers, fabric workers, hairdressers, hospital assistants, instrument mechanics, parachute riggers, photographers, air photo interpreters, intelligence officers, instructors, weather observers, pharmacists, wireless operators, and Service Police. RCAF regulations at the time precluded women who possessed flying licences from flight instructing or front-line duty.[4] Most WDs were located at British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and RAF training stations across Canada and Newfoundland, many served in Canadian operational stations, some served in the United States and many were posted overseas with RCAF Overseas Headquarters and No. 6 (bomber) Group.
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, wife of Governor General the Earl of Athlone, was Honorary Air Commandant of the Women's Division.
A total of 17,038 women served with the Women's Division before it was discontinued in December 1946. Twenty WDs received the BEM, 12 officers received the MBE, and one officer, Dr. Jean Davey, was awarded the OBE. Twenty-eight WDs died during the war from various causes.[5]
A memorial dedicated to the Women's Division was placed at CFB Trenton in 2009. The inscription reads: "We Serve That Men May Fly" "Dedicated to more than 17,000 women who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division 1941–1946".[6]
Women were again permitted to enter the RCAF in 1951 when the air force was expanding to cover Canada's NATO commitments.[7] Women were accepted as military pilots in 1980, and Canada became the first Western country to allow women to be fighter pilots in 1988.[8]
Recruitment
[edit]Newspapers and radio were used for publicity. Many recruits were attracted by recruiting posters and pamphlets, and many were influenced by a WD precision squad that travelled across Canada. Officers also travelled across Canada to encourage recruitment. Tours of WD facilities were arranged. Films such as Proudly She Marches publicized the Women's Division, and photographs of WDs in uniform taken by Ottawa photographer Yousuf Karsh attracted interest.[9][10]
At first, 150 women, slated to be officers and NCOs, were specially selected for having the necessary qualifications judged on character, intelligence, leadership potential, and ability to take responsibility. They were expected to have experience in business or social work and with working with people, and have organizing ability.[9] The women chosen were the very best of applicants; 70% of them had some high school education and 7% had been to university.[11] The criteria were more demanding since they were going to be the leaders of the Women's Division.
For general recruitment, women had to be between 21 and 41 years old, had to pass medical tests, be at least five feet tall, have a normal weight, must have been accepted to high school, be able to pass a trade aptitude test, be of good character, not be married with children under her care, and not hold a permanent civil service appointment.[9]
Training
[edit]Selected recruits were sent to manning depot where they learned "drill, deportment, discipline, service customs, etiquette [and the] king's regulations".[12] Selection for trade training was also handled at the manning depot. Some of the trades that were taught at various locations across Canada included meteorology, food preparation, air traffic control, parachute rigging, photo interpretation, photography, typing, administration, wireless operation, and police work.
Living conditions
[edit]Most WDs lived in barracks, each wing of which typically accommodated approximately 68 women.[13] WDs who worked at Air Force Headquarters in Ottawa lived in a barrack block that housed up to 800 airwomen. The barracks weren't well insulated. During winter some had to sleep with their uniforms to keep warm while some found unusual ways to insulate their mattresses such as using newspapers.[14] In locations such as cities where government housing was not available, personnel would live in private accommodations and receive an allowance to pay for room, board, and transportation.
Baseball, basketball, and hockey were popular. Women had their own team when there was enough of them on a base, otherwise, they would join the men's team. Depending on station facilities, other activities included golfing, horseback riding, track and field, skiing, swimming, tennis, and skating. Annual summer sports days were arranged to promote "healthy minds in healthy bodies".[15] Bases often organized dances, musical concerts, talent shows and showed films.[16]
Uniform
[edit]The Women's Division uniform was based on the British WAAF uniform. The kit consisted of a blue-grey ("air force blue") tunic and skirt, blue shirt, black necktie, greatcoat, rain coat, black shoes, navy blue cardigan, blue smock, overshoes, lisle grey stockings, gloves, khaki coveralls, grey shorts, tee shirt, summer dress, rank badges and a cap with a pleated crown. A battle dress uniform was issued to those who would be exposed to bad weather. In some instances, lined ski pants, parka, and winter cap with ear flaps were issued. Airwomen who served outside Canada wore a "Canada" flash on the shoulders.
The uniform changed somewhat in 1943. The new uniform, which was meant to be primarily worn off the stations, added a pleat to the greatcoat and the skirt was changed to a six-gore pattern. The pleated tunic pockets were replaced with flat patch pockets below and false pockets above, and the belt became detachable. A blue leatherette shoulder bag was added. The cap was replaced with one with a kepi-style with a deep visor and higher stiffened front.
The summer uniform consisted of a blue short-sleeved cotton dress with brass buttons. This was eventually replaced with a light khaki uniform based on the new blue (winter) uniform.
Ranks
[edit]The Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division's rank structure was modelled on that of the Royal Air Force's WAAF.[17] Ranks are listed with the most senior rank at the top and are compared with regular RCAF ranks.
| RCAF WD Rank | RCAF equivalent |
|---|---|
| Air Chief Commandant | Air Vice-Marshal |
| Air Commandant | Air Commodore |
| Group Officer | Group Captain |
| Wing Officer | Wing Commander |
| Squadron Officer | Squadron Leader |
| Flight Officer | Flight Lieutenant |
| Section Officer | Flying Officer |
| Assistant Section Officer | Pilot Officer |
| Under Officer 1st Class | Warrant Officer Class 1 |
| Under Officer 2nd Class | Warrant Officer Class 2 |
| Flight Sergeant | Flight Sergeant |
| Sergeant | Sergeant |
| Corporal | Corporal |
| Leading Aircraftwoman | Leading Aircraftman |
| Aircraftwoman 1st Class | Aircraftman 1st Class |
| Aircraftwoman 2nd Class | Aircraftman 2nd Class |
See also
[edit]
- Canadian Women's Army Corps
- Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service
- Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (Royal Australian Air Force)
- New Zealand Women's Auxiliary Air Force
- Jean Lee (aircraftwoman) - the only Chinese Canadian woman to serve (as a WD) during the Second World War.
References
[edit]- Notes
- ^ a b RCAF Women's Division Reprint from Roundel, Vol. 3, No. 3. October 1993. Retrieved 13 February 2015
- ^ Ziegler 1973, p. 6.
- ^ Ziegler 1973, p. 8.
- ^ Barris 2005, pp. 302-303.
- ^ Ziegler 1972, p.159.
- ^ RCAF Women's Division Memorial Veterans Affairs Canada. Retrieved 3 December 2020
- ^ Ziegler 1972, p. 160.
- ^ "The Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division." Juno Beach. Retrieved 10 February 2015
- ^ a b c Ziegler 1973, p. 9.
- ^ Ziegler 1973, pp 114-118
- ^ Pierson 1983, p. 5.
- ^ Whitton 1942, p.13
- ^ Gossage 2001, p. 148.
- ^ Gossage 2001, p. 168.
- ^ Ziegler 1973, pp. 91-93 and Gossage 2001, p. 156.
- ^ Ziegler 1973, p. 89 and Gossage 2001, p. 156.
- ^ Ziegler 1973, p. 13.
- Bibliography
- Barris, Ted. Behind The Glory: The Plan that Won the Allied Air War. Markham, Ontario: Thomas Allen & Son Publishers, 2005. ISBN 0-88762-212-7.
- Chartrand, René. Canadian Forces in World War II. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-302-0. Retrieved 16 February 2015
- Gossage, Carolyn. Greatcoats and Glamour Boots - Canadian women at war (1939-1945). Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2001. No ISBN
- Manning, Bill. Research Reports / Rapports de recherches Showcasing the Military Aviation Uniform Collection at the Canada Aviation Museum. Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation. Retrieved 16 February 2015
- Pierson, Ruth Roach. Canadian Women and the Second World War. Ottawa: Canadian Historical Association, 1983. No ISBN
- Whitton, Charlotte. Canadian Women in the War Effort. Toronto: The Macmillan company of Canada limited, 1942. No ISBN
- Wadge, D. Collett, Ed. Women in Uniform. Imperial War Museum, 2003. ISBN 1-901623-61-0. pp. 269, 271. Retrieved 14 February 2015
- Ziegler, Mary. We Serve That Men May Fly - The Story of the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Hamilton: RCAF (WD) Association, 1973. No ISBN.
External links
[edit]- RCAF Women's Division - Description from Juno Beach Centre
- RCAF Service Police Women
- Watch the 1943 National Film Board of Canada documentary, Wings on Her Shoulder
- Watch Proudly She Marches at NFB.ca
- CBC Digital Archives (audio) - Women of WWII: The women who serve that men may fly