Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force

On 10 March 2021, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). The WAAAF played an integral role in the overall Allied war effort during the Second World War and paved the way for the introduction of women into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1951. At its peak in October 1944, there were 18,667 WAAAFs (as members of the WAAAF were known), over 700 with commissions, comprising 30 per cent of RAAF ground staff. During the war, over 50 WAAAFs died. Today they are recognised on the Roll of Honour.

Harold Freedman, Aircraftwoman, WAAAF [Gloria Gwendolyn Grace], c. 1944, oil on canvas on wood panel, ART27556

This page highlights artworks relating to the WAAAF in the Second World War held in the Memorial’s collection. WAAAF recruitment posters show women undertaking jobs previously only available to men, as well as highlighting the many important contributions they made towards to the war effort.

Walter Jardine, Keep Them Flying, c. 1942, offset lithograph on paper, ARTV01114

Despite the War Cabinet’s initial resistance in allowing women to join the war effort, on 24 February the first WAAAF officer was selected. Flight Officer Mary Bell took charge of the WAAAF until the appointment of the first official director, Group Officer Clare Stevenson. The Memorial holds this portrait of Stevenson by Official War Artist Nora Heysen.

Nora Heysen, Group Officer Clare Stevenson, 1943, oil on canvas, ART22215

The first appointment of officers for the WAAAF occurred on 10 March 1941, along with the establishment of a training depot in Malvern, Victoria. For this early group of 19 recruits, training began on 17 March. While initial recruitment was slow, it rose considerably following the beginning of war in the Pacific.

WAAAFs were brought in to fill positions traditionally occupied by men, freeing them up for active duty. WAAAFs served in 73 different trades, ranging from clerical and administrative positions to technical workers on aircraft, in all levels of command; several were employed in General Douglas MacArthur’s war room.

John Goodchild, Fabric Workers, 1945, sanguine conte crayon on paper, ART21827

The below poster features a central image of an airman by Walter Jardine, with title and wings added later. The poster was either a maquette of a future poster by Jardine, or a homemade découpage using Jardine’s image. It highlights the role that the WAAAF played in supporting airmen during the war.

Walter Jardine (and possibly unknown others), Girls! Back Him Up, c. 1943, offset lithograph and oil on card, ARTV05237.

Airwomen were paid two-thirds the rate of their male counterparts; officers were paid an even smaller proportion. During her time as director of the WAAAF, Stevenson fought hard for equality and encouraged WAAAFs to undertake extra training and education. For many, these were opportunities not otherwise available.

Nora Heysen, Transport Driver (Aircraftswoman Florence Miles), May 1945, oil on canvas, ART24393

For many of the 27,000 women who served in the WAAAF during the war, joining a women’s service provided an opportunity to move away from home, learn new skills, and prove themselves to others.

In 1947 the last of the WAAAF were discharged. In 1951 the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) was set up in its place; it was absorbed into the RAAF in 1977.