BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
On Wednesday 18 March, AFA-SA conducted a simple yet poignant wreath laying at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, to mark the 85th anniversary of the formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) and the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF) and honour the tens of thousands of women who have served with the Air Force over the last 85 years.
The timing of the ceremony was particularly apt given that ten days earlier was International Women’s Day.
The formation of the WAAAF in 1941 was a watershed moment that led to the establishment of a 27,000 strong woman’s service; the first and largest of the ADF. Serving in 73 diverse mustering and trades including non-traditional ones such as maintenance and intelligence, the WAAAFs allowed Australian men to be directed to the more combat roles of the Air Force. More importantly, the WAAAFs became pioneers for Australian women of later generations.
The formation of the WRAAF in 1951 firmly embedded women into the RAAF making them an indispensable component of the Air Force workforce. In 1977, the WRAAF was disbanded and females were integrated into the RAAF as officers, non-commissioned officers or air women. In 2000, the RAAF graduated its first female fast jet aircrew – navigators flying the F-111. In 2011, the federal government agreed to remove gender restrictions from combat roles. In 2017, the first female fighter pilot graduated from the F/A-18 Hornet conversion course. Today, women in the RAAF serve across all roles and ranks with many in the senior leadership including several Air Vice Marshals following in the footsteps of their WAAAF pioneers.
AFA-SA were particularly honored to have 100-year-old Rae Harris, one of South Australia’s few remaining WW2 WAAAF veterans attend. Enlisting in the WAAAF as a Wireless Telegraphist (WT) Operator in July 1944 aged 19 years, Rae was posted to the Gawler Telecommunications Unit at RAAF Gawler in Adelaide’s north where she served as a Wireless/Telegraphist operator receiving and sending messages to other RAAF bases and aircraft. She worked in a reinforced concrete underground communications bunker. In May 1945 she was posted to No 2 Air Observers School at RAAF Mount Gambier supporting communications with aircraft. It was also special to have WRAAF veterans and more recent contemporary and serving women Air Force veterans attend including current serving WOFF Kyra Evans, Wing Warrant Officer, Spectrum Warfare Directorate, Air Warfare Centre, RAAF Edinburgh and AFA-SA State Councillor.
Chaplain Sue Page, 24 SQN, led the ceremony while Dr Lainie Anderson OAM, journalist/author and AFA-SA Honourary Member, recited the poem “We Band of Sisters” by Tom Hamilton, a contemporary poem about Women in service from World War 2 to contemporary days.
Wreaths were then laid by Ms Gaynor Harrison, RAAF veteran and AFA-SA State Councillor, WOFF Kyra Evans representing the Royal Australian Air Force, and Ms Rae Harris and Roz Schaeffer, daughter of the late WAAAF WW2 veteran June Hunter. Attendees were then invited to lay a sprig of rosemary at the base of the WAAAF Plaque on the Air Force Memorial. WRAAF veterans Lyne Leahy, Jan Higgins and Marie Carter, from the Elizabeth/Salisbury and Ubon Branch, laid a wreath together in honour of those who served in the WRAAAF.
WOFF Kyra Evans then recited the Ode before Last Post and Rouse was sounded as we came together to remember those women veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation including the 57 WAAAFs who lost their lives during WW2.
After the service it was wonderful to see our women veterans from across the decades and generations come together and share stories of service at the memorial and over lunch at the Combined Ex-Services Mess Lunch.
It was a special day where we honoured our WAAAF and WRAAF veterans and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Image Captions:
- 100-year-old WW2 WAAAF veteran Rae Harris with WOFF Kyra Evans at the Air Force Memorial. (Luke Scott Image)
- WRAAF veterans, Lyne Leahy, Jan Higgins and Marie Carter, from the Elizabeth/Salisbury and Ubon Branch, come forward to lay a wreath.
- Women veterans from across the generations at the Air Force Memorial, Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide, for a Wreath Laying Ceremony on 18 March 2026 marking the 85th
Anniversary of the WAAAF and the 75th Anniversary of the WRAAF. (Image Luke Scott)
