Housewife : Squadron Leader J L Waddy, RAAF

Roll-up housewife made from a light brown cotton fabric with a moleskin finish. Lined throughout with green wool baize. The edges are bound with black cotton. A cylindrical pouch at one end is constructed around two heavy card discs covered with the brown and green fabric. A pair of green cotton tape ties attached to the free end secure the housewife in a rolled position. A large baize pocket inside the roll has grey and brown plastic buttons attached to it, as well as brass and steel safety pins. A square of emery paper is sewn between two baize flaps at the end of the pocket. The inner cylinder carries a Minora brand razor blade in a paper cover, held in place by a strip of elastic.

Born in Sydney in 1916, John Lloyd Waddy enlisted in the RAAF in late 1940. After initial training in Australia he completed his flying training under the Empire Air Training Scheme in Rhodesia, where he graduated as a pilot in June 1941.

Waddy was posted to North Africa to 250 (Fighter) Squadron RAF, flying P-40 Tomahawks, later converting to Kittyhawks. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his 'masterly airmanship as a fighter pilot', for achieving four 'kills' in a single sortie. On 22 May 1942 Waddy was posted to 260 Squadron RAF, then briefly to 450 Squadron RAAF and 4 Squadron South African Air Force. In October he was posted to 92 Squadron RAF and began flying Spitfires. By the time he left the Middle East to return to Australia, in January 1943, he had scored fifteen and a half victories, making him one of the most successful allied fighter pilots in the Desert War.

Between January and June 1943 Waddy was posted as a senior flying instructor at 2 Operational Training Unit at Mildura in Victoria. He was appointed to command 80 Squadron RAAF in September 1944, first at Morotai and then in Borneo, a position he held until the following July. At Morotai he was one of eight senior pilots who attempted to resign their commissions in protest at the relegation of the RAAF's fighter squadrons to perceived 'worthless' and costly ground attack missions, an action later known as the 'Morotai Mutiny'. For his command of the squadron Waddy received a mention in despatches, and was awarded a US Air Medal. He was discharged from the RAAF in September 1945.

Soon after, Waddy joined the Citizen Air Force. Promoted to group captain he led it until 1954. In 1962 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the Liberal member for Kirribilli, serving in ministerial positions from 1969 until his retirement in 1976. John Waddy died in 1987.