Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson

Places	Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Mascot Oceania: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Point Piper
Accession Number	S00185
Collection type	Sound
Measurement	3 hr 4 min
Object type	Oral history
Physical description	audio cassette; TDK D60; mono
Maker	Stark, Amy Gwendoline
Place made	Australia: New South Wales, Sydney, Point Piper
Date made	9 January 1984
Access	Open
Conflict	Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright	Item copyright: Unlicensed copyright
Copying Provisions	Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.

Description

Gwen Stark was one of the first women to be appointed to a position in the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). She earned her pilot's licence in 1938. In interview she discusses her involvement with Nancy Bird Walton, the Womens' Air Training Corp, the Early Birds Association, the Australian Womens' Flying Club, officer training in the WAAAF, including being told she would be referred to as 'sir'. Performing role of WAAAF Camp Commandant in Melbourne, finding accommodation for female cadets and having to adapt RAAF uniform for WAAAF personnel; establishing a WAAAF Depot in Robertson and overcoming challenges including plumbing and recreation; being a Squadron Officer at North Eastern Area Headquarters at Townsville, dealings with American forces, discipline, pregnancies on base , arranging confirmation and baptism of WAAAF personnel ; involvement in charging an officer with sexual harrassment.

Listen to Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson
Listen to Part 2 of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson
Listen to Part 3 of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson
Listen to Part 4 of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson
Listen to Part 5 of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson
Listen to Part 6 of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson
Download PDF document of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson (file)
Download PDF document of Amy Gwendoline (Gwen) Caldwell (nee Stark) as a wing officer, Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force, 1941-1945, interviewed by Joyce Thomson (file)