RCAF Recruitment of Women

Heroes Remember

RCAF Recruitment of Women

Transcript

As you know, the war started in ‘39 and they recruited, they started recruiting immediately. Canadian Government didn’t allow the Defence Department to recruit women until ‘41 when they finally found out that in the RAF in England, they were getting all their work done, ground work done by women. So they convinced the government that it was quite alright to have women in the military and they recruited. Because of the RCAF needing so many men and needing so they were losing so many because it was the flights, you know, the bombing flights and all the rest of it. They were losing so many men. They needed the staff to do administrative ground work. And they needed it more, more readily than the navy and the army at that time for some reason that’s the way... the way the fight was going. It was the air crew that had the emphasis in those days. So the RCAF were granted first, by the military were given permission to recruit women and then, then the army later, after that, and then the navy a year or so later.

Description

Mrs. Walmsley speaks about her opportunity of being in the first recruitment of women for service in the Second World War by the RCAF.

Norma Walmsley

Norma Walmsley was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up there until she decided to join the military. In 1941, Ms. Walmsley became a member of the very first squadron of women that was recruited by the RCAF. Following basic training at Havergal College Manning Depot in Toronto, she received her first posting to #6 in Dunnivlle. Later she was commissioned and posted to Air Force Headquarters in Ottawa where she remained until the end of the war, holding the rank as Senior Officer in Charge of Womens Division Supplies for Canada and Overseas. After the service, Ms. Walmsley attended McGill University graduated and became a professor at Brandon College, serving as the Head of the Department of Political Science. Ms. Walmsley is credited for her active role in promoting student and community organizations and has a long history of services in respect to women’s role in society and Human Rights Development. In 1993, Ms. Walmsley was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Her dedication and commitment has gained her presence and acceptance of many respectable awards within Canada.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 1:23
Person Interviewed:: Norma Walmsley
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Branch:: Air Force
Units/Ship:: Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division
Occupation:: Supply Officer

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RCAF Recruitment of Women

Heroes Remember