Our Valued WAAF's

User avatar
K4KittyCrew
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Posts: 3635
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:55 am
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia

Our Valued WAAF's

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Here is a couple of photos of our valued WAAF's. Although there are numerous Bomber Command Forum available on the Internet, I can't say there is due recognition for these marvellous ladies. I trust we can make amends here.

The whereabouts' of the first photo is still unknown to me ......... will have to do some homework / and or, some member may know.
The second photo ........... is a challenge to the members. Can you name these WAAF's role and what they were doing, in the picture?
I'm not expecting an exact answer but near enough will do.

Footnote - If any member has photos of WAAF's they'd like to post, please do so and or contact myself, David or Max, to help with postings.
John
Image
( Below) WAAF Balloon operators studying the construction of balloons from a model.
Image
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
User avatar
PAFG
Group Captain
Group Captain
Posts: 803
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:34 pm
Location: Wiltshire, UK

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by PAFG »

Second photo, lady in the front thinks she's auditioning for Hollywood and the rest appear to be preparing a Met balloon.

I think the first photo is a sit in - 'we're not moving till you put a roof on our accommodation...'

Richard
User avatar
AlanW
Air Commodore
Air Commodore
Posts: 1359
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:11 am
Location: West Cornwall

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by AlanW »

Not all WAAF's but these are just a few from a WAAF's (Cpl Agnes Howarth) scrapbook that i picked up at a jumble sale some years back. She was based at Middleton St George, the book includes a nice little poster advertising an Easter Dance at the WAAF site, and an original first edition of the Middleton St George News, later renamed "Flarepath" plus a host of other interesting and amusing stuff.
Last edited by AlanW on Mon May 30, 2011 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
There is no paralell in warfare, to such courage and determination in the face of danger, over so long a period. Such devotion, should never be forgotten.
User avatar
Denonline
BC Veteran
BC Veteran
Posts: 197
Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 10:33 am

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by Denonline »

The WAAFS, inspecting the ballloon were in all probability undergoing "Barrage balloon" training to become part of the hundreds of crews manning them.

These balloons were deployed at all times over vulnerable air attack targets including ships There were hundreds over London, they were attached to a winch vehicle by a strong cable that would have crippled any dive or low flying enemy bomber.

Dennis
User avatar
K4KittyCrew
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Posts: 3635
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:55 am
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Many thanks Dennis, great to hear from you. I'll being sending you a PM about another 'vet'.
Alan, great photos mate. Would also like to do a post on 'ground crews' ....... if we haven't got one already. I reckon it is so important to have recognition for all of those who served.
If members have stories / photos, please post them in.
Thanks,
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
User avatar
K4KittyCrew
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Posts: 3635
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:55 am
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by K4KittyCrew »

here is a couple more photos of interest ..........
John
Image
Image
Image
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
User avatar
Upkeep
Flying Officer
Flying Officer
Posts: 182
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 3:37 pm

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by Upkeep »

Great pix John. Not quite sure about the one 'working on the autopilot' though ;)

Am I correct in thinking that the ATA Ferry Pilots were not technically WAAFs ?
User avatar
K4KittyCrew
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Posts: 3635
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:55 am
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Fair comment 'Upkeep' .......... these photo's came out of the 'WAAF Section' of the book An Illustrated History of the RAF, by Roy Conyers Nesbit. Most photo's are listed as WAAF's and their role titles, ie: Mechanic, Instrument Repairer, etc.
I have quite a number of photo's concerning WAAF's and other women who were not part of the RAF but provided an invaluable service, as this next photo shows ....... Cheers,
John
Image
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
User avatar
K4KittyCrew
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Posts: 3635
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:55 am
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Here is another great photo of our valued WAAF's. Please fill free to add to the collection and list all credits if known.
Cheers,
John
Image
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
User avatar
K4KittyCrew
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Air Chief Marshal (RAAF)
Posts: 3635
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:55 am
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland - Australia

Re: Our Valued WAAF's

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Here is another great photo.
John
Image
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
Post Reply