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Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC). (1951-1985)

Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-712063

Biographies

Australian Women's Register

The Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) was established in April 1951 to help overcome a manpower shortage. During the late 1970s female soldiers began to be integrated into the Army at large and in early 1985, the WRAAC was disbanded. The last Officers' Cadet School parade (6 December 1984) on the WRAAC School parade ground saw the Officer Cadets and the WRAAC Contingent marching to the strains of "Soldiers of the Queen". Prior to the formal closing of the gates the WRAAC School flag was ceremoniously lowered and slow marched "off", to be folded and handed over to the Chief Instructor of the WRAAC School for safe keeping. The gates, which had been repainted for the occasion, were then closed by Major Diane McVicker of the WRAAC School and Mrs Gwen Ellis - sister of Colonel Best. The WRAAC Prayer was also included in the ceremony: Almighty God, we ask you to reveal yourself in the fullness of your love to all who reach out to you. Help us to recognise ourselves as your children. Let the day soon dawn when we will allow your love to right every wrong. Give us the courage and self control to play our part as members of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps to help your kingdom come on earcth. Lead us in the pathway of life as your own wisdom and love see best: we are anxious only to do your will. We ask you to give us the grace to rise above temptation, to be patient when tired, to be kind and helpful towards others. To all members of our Army grant the special blessing that we need. Preserve us from selfishness. Bless every member of our Corps, our families and friends. We come to you as children to our Father, asking these and all other blessing, in the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Related people and organisations

Resources

Selected resources (39)

Australian Women's Register

  1. A Stroll down memory lane
    WRAAC Association
    [2001]
  2. Soldiers of the Queen : women in the Australian Army
    Bomford, Janette
    [2001]
    Published: Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic.
  3. Vale - Barbara Edwina Audrey Starrett (nee Maxwell) Colonel and Last Director of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps
    [1991]
  4. Colonel Best and her soldiers: The Story of the 33 years of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps
    Ollif, Lorna
    [1985]
    Published: Ollif Publishing Company, Hornsby, NSW
  5. Australian Servicewomen's Memorial
    Southwell-Keely, Michael
    [1999]
  6. The Women's Royal Australian Army Corps
    [c. 1959]
    The Women's Royal Australian army Corps [film about women's role and importance in the army] [Army training cine film]
    National Archives of Australia, Sydney Office
    A7665/1
  7. Accounting stocktake - officer-in-charge's schedules
    [1965 - 1971]
    Accounting stocktake - officer-in-charge's schedules [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, Perth Office
    PP580/1
  8. Training - military - general - period of CMF training
    [1967 - 1975]
    Training - military - general - period of CMF training [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, Perth Office
    PP580/1
  9. Displays - General WRAAC Corps Day
    [1967 - 1975]
    Displays - General WRAAC Corps Day [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, Perth Office
    PP580/1
  10. Pay and allowances CMF - general - additional training
    [1969 - 1975]
    Pay and allowances CMF - general - additional training [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, Perth Office
    PP580/1
  11. Opening of the Kathleen Best Memorial Gates
    [6 November 1959]
    Opening of the Kathleen Best Memorial Gates, Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) School, Mosman, NSW
    7 slides
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    A7483/1
  12. Establishments and strengths - general
    [1965 - 1972]
    Establishments and strengths - general [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, Perth Office
    PP580/1
  13. Audit reports - general - army audit reports
    [1964 - 1974]
    Audit reports - general - army audit reports [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    PP580/1
  14. War Establishments and Amendments - [Colleges and Schools:]
    [1947 - 1952]
    War Establishments and Amendments - [Colleges and Schools:] [Divisional Battle School; Royal Military College; School of Signals; School of Tactics and Administration; Royal Australian Army Service Corps School; Officer Cadet School; Army Technical School; School of Land/Air Warfare; Women's Royal Australian Army Corps School; Personnel Seconded or Detached and Long Term Students; BCOF Fire Fighting School; Central Army Training School BCOF]
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    AWM54
  15. Establishments and strengths - general - CMF units
    [1968 - 1972]
    Establishments and strengths - general - CMF units [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, Perth Office
    PP580/1
  16. Accounting stocktake - officer-in-charge's schedules
    [1965 - 1971]
    Accounting stocktake - officer-in-charge's schedules [WRAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    PP580/1
  17. RAASC - supplies - expense supplies requests
    [1970 - 1975]
    RAASC - supplies - expense supplies requests [RAAC - 14th Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    PP580/1
  18. History of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps
    [1951 - 1984]
    0.05 m
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    A7484/1
  19. Representations for grant of title of "Royal" to the Women's Australian Army corps
    [1951]
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    A462/16
  20. Miscellaneous historical notes etc from Women's Royal Australian Army Corps school and Women's Royal Australian Army Corps directories
    [1963 - 1986]
    0.08 m
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    A7484/1
  21. Bomford, Janette M.(b: 1953)
    [manuscript : 1951 - 1984]
    Typed manuscript (approx. 110 pages) titled: "Soldiers of the Queen - the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps 1951-1984", relating the history of the Corps. Written by Janette M. Bomford, a recipient of a John Treloar Grant for research, in 1995.
    0.1 m, 1
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    MSS1645
  22. Collar badge : Womens Royal Australian Army Corps
    Brass; Silver (Ag); Oval shaped brass badge with a wreath around a diamond shaped silver shield, emblazoned with the southern cross. St Edward's crown surmounts the badge. Simple scroll on the bottom is embossed 'WRAAC'.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    REL25025.002
  23. The canteen at the Australian Army Canteens service soldiers club, Royal Military College, Duntroon.
    [Photographs : 23 November 1953]
    Canberra, ACT. 1955-11-23. The canteen at the Australian Army Canteens service soldiers club, Royal Military College, Duntroon. Three members of the Womens Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) are at the counter.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    134946
  24. Private Pam Armstrong of the Women's Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) 12 Company, works over a large oven by using a butterbox
    [Photographs ]
    El Alamein, SA, 1971-04. At the annual Citizen Military Forces (CMF) camp, 4'9" cook, Private Pam Armstrong of the Women's Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) 12 Company, works over a large oven by using a butterbox.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    CHA/71/0120/CC
  25. Employment of WRAAC
    [1961 - 1970]
    Employment of WRAAC, [Women's Royal Australian Army Corps] ASCO [Australian Services Canteen Organisation] (Army Component)
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    AWM90
  26. Hat badge : Womens Royal Australian Army Corps
    [1960s]
    Brass and silver; Oval shaped brass badge with a wreath around a diamond shaped silver shield, emblazoned with the southern cross. St Edward's crown surmounts the badge. A simple scroll on the bottom is embossed 'WRAAC'.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    REL25025.001
  27. First WRAAC, Women's Royal Australian Army Corps
    [Film : 1951 - 1953]
    On 9 June 1951 the late Major Peggy Williamson led the final parade of eight members of the Womens Australian Army Corps for the jubilee celebrations in Canberra. Later in June 1951 King George VI approved the title "Royal" and the Corps were designated the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps. Southern Command Barracks. WRAAC on the side of the Albert Park Lake road marching. First recruit course in Victoria at Lonsdale 9 July 1951 Gwen McCarken polishing car. Kath Fowler, Margaret Todman, Bryal Longuir and Verna Wilson. South Australian WRAAC's Peg Pine and Pam Gosling. Rennie Griffin and Bryal Muir run along parade ground. Shirley Watkins, Mabs Middleton talking to W/O Alma Young, Jackie Leavy. Lieutenant Gosh talking to recruits. Captain Pat Pitt C.O.. Joan Cousins holding camp mascot "Scottie". Corporal West. WRAAC School Mildura CO Major Dawn Jackson. NCO WRAACS playing softball against Officer cadets 1953. Supervised by Captain Joan Melton. Sergeant Ruby Brown drill instructor and officer cadets practicing the slow march.
    1
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    F03488
  28. Army Minister visits WRAAC School DPR/TV/1513
    [12 July 1972]
    The Minister for the Army, Mr Bob Katter, was on the move in NSW yesterday (July 12) visiting two of the Army's officer training establishments. During the morning, at the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville (pronounced Sky-ville) near Windsor, NSW, he reviewed his first graduation. Afterwards, he flew by Army helicopter to the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps School at Georges Heights, Sydney, NSW. At Georges Heights, Mr Katter spent about one and a half hours inspecting training, accommodation and messing facilities at the Womens Royal Australian Army Corps School. The school has about 86 officer cadets undergoing training. It also conducts courses for recruits and for non commissioned officers. One of the best known soldiers at the school to meet the Minister was Corporal Digger, the school's dog mascot. Mr Katter was accompanied during his tour by the Assistant Director of WRAAC, Lieutenant Colonel B. Maxwell, and the Chief Instructor of the school, Major M. Holmes.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    F04559
  29. Two members of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC)
    [Photographs : May 1957]
    Bendigo, VIC. 1957-05. Two members of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC), attached to the Royal Australian Survey Corps, working on topographical survey maps. Note the Army Headquarters badges on their right arms.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    BEN/57/0051/HQ
  30. WRAAC arrive in Singapore DPR/TV/743
    [November 1967]
    The first members of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps to serve overseas since the corps was formed in 1951 have arrived in Singapore. They are Captain Heather Gardner of Malvern, Victoria; Lieutenant Pam Smith of Padstow, NSW; and Warrant Officer Mary Bulmer, of Brighton, Victoria. Captain Gardner and Warrant Officer Bulmer are working at Australian Army Headquarters, Far East Land Forces, in Singapore. Lieutenant Smith is employed at the 121st Signals Squadron, an Australian Army unit in Singapore. The three WRAAC members are the advance party of a larger contingent of the corps who are due in Singapore during December. A WRAAC sergeant, two corporals and four privates will also be employed at 121 Signal Squadron. The three members of the WRAAC spent their first week sight seeing and familiarizing themselves with the city. They visited Change Alley - line up of traders who deal in clothing, souvenirs, furnishings and even tool kits for tourists. Change Alley, where price bargaining is a way of life, is in the heart of the city's major tourist attraction blocks. They also walked the outskirts of the city's chinatown where 80,000 people live in one square mile. The women, who are on clerical and adminstrative duties, are quartered in hired accomodation and with the British Women's Royal Army Corps.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    F03949
  31. WRAAC drill at Queenscliff training company
    [Film ]
    Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) Training Company Queenscliff. RAANC and WRAAC marching together.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    F03492
  32. A pre-dinner chat for Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) officers
    Mosman, Sydney. 2 April 1966. A pre-dinner chat for Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) officers, left to right: Major Lucy Crane of Eastern Command, Sydney; Colonel Dawn Jackson, Director of WRAAC; Honorary Colonel May Douglas, WRAAC Honorary Colonel, and Major Dulcie Verender, Chief Instructor of the WRAAC. They were among fifty officers at a dining out night at the WRAAC Officer School, Mosman, in honour of Colonel Douglas, who retires this week. Guests at the dinner represented all States of Australia.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    SMT/66/0042/EC
  33. WRAAC [Women's Royal Australian Army Corps]
    [1951 - 1984]
    WRAAC [Women's Royal Australian Army Corps] General - regimental marches, alliances, WRAAC association, history - WRAAC, WRAAC Corps Day, Ceremonial General, WRAAC Advisers MDS
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    A7481/1
  34. Speech by Colonel Sybil H IRVING
    [1959]
    speech by Colonel Sybil H IRVING (honorary Colonel of the Corps) made at the opening of the Kathleen Best Memorial Gates, Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) School, Mosman, NSW, 6 November 1959
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    Control Symbol 2
  35. Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Catholic Chaplain General of the Australian Army
    [c. 1945]
    Melbourne, Vic. c. 1945. Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Catholic Chaplain General of the Australian Army with three unidentified nurses from the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), Women's Royal Australian Army Corps and the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service in the garden at the Archbishop's residence Raheen. The visitors were completing a leadership course for Catholic personnel during a special visit to Raheen. (Donor J. Morgan)
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    P03081.001
  36. Operation clean up DPR/TV/566
    [Film : February 1967]
    More Regular Army troops flew into Hobart at the weekend to assist in the bushfire emergency, mainly on cleaning-up operations. Sixty-one of them arrived in a chartered Electra from Melbourne and among these were seventeen members of the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps and Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps. Ninety one members of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, were flown in by RAAF Hercules aircraft from Edinburgh, South Australia. They will take over many of the duties which have been performed by members of the Citizens Military Force, who completeed their annual two week's camp on Sunday. Among the burnt-out buildings, petrol bowsers stood with one-thousand gallons of gasoline still intact in underground tanks. The major task for the troops is on cleaning-up operations around destroyed homes and factories, like this sawmill at Bridgewater. A live hand grenade was found among the debris and later destroyed by an Army ammunition expert. Cleaning-up is a huge task even though brick chimneys are the only solid evidence that homes once stood in many of the burnt-out areas.
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    F03844
  37. Australian servicewomen's memorial
    [1999]
    Whereas more conventional war memorials may incorporate a cenotaph or a representative figure, Anne Ferguson has created a bare platform of coloured stones, divided in two by a curved trench that resembles an aerial view of a river, carving its way through a sparse, flat landscape. While most memorials encourage audiences to keep a reverential distance, to stand outside the experience of war and reflect upon it, Ferguson wants the viewer to walk right into the middle of the work, to experience a sense of empathy with the women it celebrates. The insignia of the women's services are displayed discreetly around the mosaic, because for Ferguson, ceremony is far less important than the human dimension. For many women, the work they undertook during the Second World War provided a first taste of freedom and responsibility. When the war ended and those jobs were given back to the men, it must have come as a bitter blow, because their lives and way of thinking had already been changed. It is this sense of metamorphosis that Ferguson has tried to capture in her stone mosaic, in which the variegated colours represent the different lives, the different backgrounds and experiences of servicewomen. Set in a peaceful grove between the deciduous trees, the sculpture changes the appearance in relation to the changes in daylight, the play of shadows, and the sprinkling of leaves that fall haphazardly onto the stone. Ferguson draws a parallel between the gradual process of awakening to the environment in which we live, and a growing recognition of the debt we owe to those men and women who gave their time, and their lives, in defence of this land. Her stone platform may be undemonstrative, but it has a feeling of underlying strength. It is a foundation upon which new recognitions can be built. Granite mosaic 40.3 x 540 x 720 cm
    Australian War Memorial Research Centre
    ART90968
  38. Kathleen Best Memorial Gates
    [1959]
    National Archives of Australia, Melbourne Office
    MT1131/1/2
  39. Kathleen Best Memorial (Gates) and portrait
    [1957 - 1984]
    National Archives of Australia, National Office
    A7481/1

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  1. Website: Australian Women's Archives Project
    www.womenaustralia.info
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  2. Website: Australian Women in War
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  3. Website: Putting skirts on the sacred benches : women candidates for the New South Wales Parliament
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  1. Women's Royal Australian Army Corps Association (NSW Branch). 1977-
    ... Women's Royal Australian Army Corps Association (NSW Branch). 1977- ... Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) (1951 - 1985) ...
  2. Best, Kathleen Annie Louise. 1910-1957
    army matron; hospital matron (general); nurse (general)
    ... Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) (1951 - 1985) ...
  3. Irving, Sybil Howy. 1897-1973
    army officer; Girl Guides? leader; Voluntary Aid Detachment personnel
    ... Women's Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) (1951 - 1985) ...