Desire to go Overseas

Heroes Remember

Desire to go Overseas

Transcript

When they sent me to Ottawa they put me in charge as a Senior Officer in charge of all supplies for Canada and overseas for all of our women. By this time we were getting into the 20,000 area. There were, and officially 17,000 WDs in the, during the war, but we had to, some come and go over the years. What I joined for because I believed, I believed we had a war with Hitler and I wanted to go overseas because that’s what I was concerned about instead of being held on the ground here, and I, every... every, I don’t know how many, I can’t tell you how many times I’d, I’d write a letter and go to my Air Vice-Marshal. I’d ask him for a posting overseas because I missed that first 150 and I tried to plead, “look I missed my chance in the first 150, that’s where I was suppose to be now I’ve done my duty for several years. I want to go overseas.” Every time I asked he had a different reason except that no I couldn’t go. I was the Senior Officer and had to stay there. And when, when VE-Day came, I said, I went, I had the letter and I went into his office, I said, “Now there’s no reason really. Where the war is over for all practical purposes.” I’d still like to get overseas. I’m so annoyed that I hadn’t been able to get over there and each one would say no and he’d say no. When I went over, he said “Well we’ve... it isn’t over because we’ve got Japan.” So okay when VJ-Day came and the bomb was dropped, I went in assuming okay, this is it. He said “No because we haven’t yet decided, there’s a question before the military as to whether or not they’re going to keep women in the services and if they’re going to keep women in the services, we first of all have got you to bring back all these supplies that you sent all over the world and divide, decide what to do with them and who are they... where they should be maintained and how many should be.” He said “We need you. We need you, you’re the Senior Officer.” I was so mad, but... I ripped up my, he had the letter in his hand and he said, he ripped it up and he said “Don’t ask me again!”

Description

Mrs. Walmsley speaks about her important role as senior supply officer and her keen desire to go overseas.

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:: 2:36
Person Interviewed:: Norma Walmsley
War, Conflict or Mission:: Second World War
Location/Theatre:: Canada
Branch:: Air Force
Units/Ship:: Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division
Occupation:: Supply Officer

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Desire to go Overseas

Heroes Remember