History of the WAAF's

In 1939, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force was formed. Based on the Womens Royal Air Force of world war 1, it served a similar purpose, that-of carrying out duties to free up their male counterparts for active service.

Known as WAAFE’s, by 1943 their numbers had swollen to 180,000 with over 2,000 women signing up each week.

Dominion countries, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, all followed suit and set up their own WAAFE organisations.

All Women between the ages of 18-30 were conscripted for war work, but were given a choice of where they would like to go, either agriculture, Industry work or the Armed services, with those chosing the RAF becoming a WAAFE.

Some WAAFes who had flying experience opted to join the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) but had to return to civilian life to do so.

Serving both in the UK as well as Overseas, the roles undertaken were varied and in some cases secret, with WAAFEs fulfilling roles in places such as Bletchley Park on decoding duties, or working within the S-O-E, Special Operations Executive.

Various tasks undertaken included; parachute packing, aircraft maintenance, transport and communications, as well as monitoring radar and meteorology. They also performed vital intelligence operations, and often analysed reconnaissance photography.

Most women were very excited to be joining the RAF, and couldn’t wait to get stuck-in and begin their training. However, the reality of such a different way of life would soon become apparent.

Sharing billet huts with- on average up to 30 other women, and all missing their families and friends, many had never even been away from home before, and the first few nights were incredibly lonely!

The new recruits would have been given inoculations against several different diseases, before being kitted out with everything they would need; uniforms and gas masks, tin-hats, sewing-kits, as well as button-polishers.

Up until 1943, all training was carried out at Wilmslow. After this date, due to the large increase in personnel, training was undertaken over five sites with maths and aptitude tests on the curriculum.

A story was once told of a new recruit who made sure she failed the Morse Code test, as she was adamant she didn’t want to become a Wireless Operator!

The women would spend a lot of time during their early days, learning the history of the Royal Air Force, and also a good deal of marching on parade.

They would then have been accepted into their trade, with Wireless Mechanic being the most technical trade open to them.

Although they did not participate in active combat, they were exposed to the same dangers as any on the home front whilst working at military installations.

An important thing to note, was that WAAFs were paid two-thirds of the pay of their male counterparts in RAF ranks.

One of the many vital roles that the WAAFEs undertook, was working as plotters in the Operation rooms. Directing fighter aircraft against the Lufwaffer, required them to plot the positions of both home and enemy aircraft, a role that proved vitally important during The Battle Of Britain back in 1940.

During these duties, they would have heard the sound of young men in their early twenties, suffering as they battled and in some cases, died defending our country!

On the huge blackboard, on the back wall of an operations room. Codes would be entered next to an aircraft’s identification markings to show their current status. Often, and with a great sense of relief the letter “M” for Mission Completed was inserted.

However, the sad entry of the word “Missing” would have to be added next to an aircraft which hadn’t made it back.

Most of the WAAFEs found it to be a privilege to have immediate access to this information, but many found it hard to deal with, as strong bonds and friendships between the WAAFE and other staff, gave some light relief during the darkest of days. So, to hear the news coming in of a cherished friend, or even a loved one, having been shot down or missing in action, was a huge burden to bear.

Women often told of being in “numb” shock sometimes but found that carrying on with their work, in the most professional manner possible, whilst ensuring the safety of other aircraft and personnel, meant they could block out the terrible tragedies of the day until their shift was over. 

Another crucial role was that of the Nursing Orderlies. Affectionately known as The Flying Nightingales, they would fly on transport planes to evacuate the wounded from battlefields.

Training for air ambulance nursing duties included learning the effects of air travel and altitude.

They would also be taught how to use oxygen, administer injections, and learn how to deal with several types of injuries seen in battle, such as; Broken bones, missing limbs, head injuries and burns.

The sights that would have been witnessed by the WAAFEs during these duties would stay with them for the rest of their lives. Many men told afterwards of not only the exceptional medical care, but of the great comfort and compassion that these nurses showed them as they travelled back to Britain. Many said they had lost all hope and morale but found it again in the care of the Flying Nightingales.

It is now obvious just how much the country owes to the WAAFEs for all their efforts during the second world war. Their dedication to their duties cannot be over emphasised and like all World War 2 heroes should be celebrated.

178 WAAFEs were to be killed in service with another 420 wounded. A further 4 went missing in action.

Like all Service members, they had families, Parents, Husbands, Children. Take a second now to remember them.

Please now move on to the next exhibit.