The Women's Auxiliary Air Force, in which Her Majesty the Queen holds the rank of Commandant-in-Chief, was formed on June 28, 1939, by Royal Warrant.  Miss K. J. Trefusis Forbes was appointed Director with the rank of Air Com­mandant.

Previously, the personnel of the Force had done duty in the Royal Air Force Companies of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, which was formed in July 1938. Experience showed, however, that there was considerable difference in the type of duty required from women working for the R.A.F. and for the army, and it was decided to make a complete severance between them. The khaki-clad pioneers of the R.A.F. Companies exchanged their uniform for one of Air Force blue.

The badges of rank of both officers and airwomen, as well as the style and colour of the uniform, conform with that of officers and airmen of the R.A.F. This was decided upon deliberately to show the close connection of the W.A.A.F. with its parent fighting service. The uniform which was submitted to, and ap­proved by, the King, was first seen in public when a section of the W.A.A.F. took part in the National Defence Rally in Hyde Park in July 1939.

The W.A.A.F. is under the direct com­mand of the R.A.F. Its object is to effect, when desirable, the substitution of women for Royal Air Force personnel in certain appointments and trades in the R.A.F. There is no question of W.A.A.F. personnel flying. The aim of the W.A.A.F. is, as far as possible, to enroll recruits only when qualified by their work in civil life. Training is, however, given in many trades. At the outbreak of war there were only five different trades in which women could enroll in the W.A.A.F., but as airwomen continued to do their work efficiently and well, more and more trades became open to recruit­ment for women. Today there are 26 of these different trades, which are enumerated here for information and guidance.

The Women's Auxiliary Air Force had a counterpart in the last war. The Women's Royal Air Force was formed on April 1, 1918, at the same time as the R.A.F. came into existence as a separate fighting service.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester was gazetted an Air Commandant in the Women's Auxili­ary Air Force on March 12, 1940.

All trades are open for enrolment at the age of 17J, with the exception of (a) Sick Quarter Attend­ant; (b) Dental Clerk Orderly; and (c) Admin­istrative. Subject to suitability and after sonic Service experience recruits may apply for re-mustering to (a), (b) and (c} after attaining the ages of 23, 18 and 21 respectively. The upper age limit is 43, except where otherwise stated. Ex-service women of the last war may be accepted up to the age of 50. All are required to undergo a medical examination, and must attain the medical standard of fitness laid down. They are enrolled for the duration of the war, and will be entered in the rank of Aircraftwoman 2nd class. They will be eligible for promotion when qualified, as vacancies arise. Officers will normally be selected from the ranks. An airwoman is liable to serve in any part of the United Kingdom or overseas.

When a recruit is called up she is sent to a W.A.A.F. Depot, where she completes a fortnight's course of disciplinary training. Then, if qualified in her trade, she is posted to an R.A.F. Station or Headquarters.     Untrained personnel are posted to a Training School where they receive a course of instruction for their trade. On completion they are posted to an R.A.F. Station or Headquarters. The rates of pay (sec table) conform roughly to two-thirds of R.A.F. personnel according to rank and trades (in the case of airwomen).

Airwomen receive free medical and dental treatment, free clothing, food and accommodation, as well as two free rail­way warrants per year when proceeding on leave - not to mention free entertain­ments, cinemas, sport, etc. It is also possible under certain conditions for airwomen to draw dependants' allowances.

An airwoman receives compensation for death or disability attributed to her service in the war.

Administrative. These officers are responsible to their R.A.F. Command­ing Officer for the discipline and well-being of W.A.A.F. personnel.

Technical and Specialist. Code and cypher officers are included in this branch. They are responsible to their R.A.F. Commanding Officer for the safe custody of secret and confidential documents and for the interpretation of code and cypher messages.

Photographic officers are also in­cluded; they are responsible to their R.A.F. Commanding Officer for photo­graphic interpretation of pictures taken over enemy territory.

In addition, there are openings for W.A.A.F. officers with specialized knowledge on various sides of the Signals Branch.

Catering. This branch includes W.A.A.F. unit catering officers (who replace the R.A.F. messing officers), and hospital dieticians.

From time to time Air Ministry Selection Boards are held for the purpose of interviewing airwomen recommended by their Officers (R.A.F. and W.A.A.F.) for appointment to officer rank.

Pay.

The pay of a W.A.A.F. Officer is two-thirds that of the daily rate of an R.A.F. Officer (Equipment Branch) of equivalent rank.

The trades are divided into Groups for the purposes of pay. There are five of these Groups, parallel to those of the R.A.F.  Group I being omitted.

Included in Group V are all airwomen undergoing training of any sort. During the probationary period they are referred to as u/t (under training) Cooks, u/t Sick Quarter Attendants, etc. Once they have successfully completed their training they are placed in their appropriate trade Group and receive a rise in pay.

ADMINISTRATIVE. (Group IV)

Age limits 21-43.

Number required always small, as candidates are invariably taken from existing W.A.A.F. personnel. Must have experience in organizing and dealing with people. Must have a high sense of leadership and responsibility. Enrolment is subject to recruit passing a selection board.

AIRCRAFTHAND (Group V).

(1) ACH  General  Duties.

These airwomen work in the kitchen, scrub­bing and helping to keep cook-house clean and tidy ; they also help the cooks in preparation of food and other domestic duties.

(2) ACH Workshops.

Jobs may include cleaning and degreasing plants; spray painting ; packing for dispatch small items of equipment after reconditioning ; grinding and stripping a valve seat ; small components.

(3) ACH  Waitress.

(4) ACH Orderly.

Messenger work and general orderly duties.

CHARGING BOARD OPERATOR (Group IV).

Training is given to suitable candidates on R.A.F. stations.

CLERK, EQUIPMENT ACCOUNTING (Group IV).

Must have book-keeping or other accounting experience.

CLERK, GENERAL DUTIES (Group IV).

In addition to having previous clerical ex­perience, candidates must be able to type not less than 30 words a minute. Fifty per cent of these clerks must be shorthand-typists.

CLERK. PAY ACCOUNTING (Group IV).

Must have book-keeping or other accounting experience.

CLERK, SPECIAL DUTIES (Group IV).

Age limits 17-35.

Enrolment is subject to recruit passing a selection board. Training is given. These airwomen must be able to assume responsibility under active war conditions. They must be mentally alert and accurate. They are employed in tracking enemy aircraft carrying out raids over British Isles as reported by the Observer Corps.

COOK (Group III).

Age limits 17-47; minimum height 4 ft. 10 in.

If experienced in cooking for large numbers, a candidate may enroll as a "skilled" cook after passing a trade test. Without this experience she may enroll as an unskilled or u/t cook, when training will be given her.

DENTAL CLERK ORDERLY (Group ‘M’).

Candidates who have had experience as a re­ceptionist to a dentist are eminently suitable.

EQUIPMENT ASSISTANT (Group IV).

Recruits must have had experience of handling and accounting for stores of any kind.

FABRIC WORKER AERO (Group III).

FABRIC WORKER BALLOON (Group III).

FABRIC WORKER RIGGER (BALLOON) (Group III).

INSTRUMENT MECHANIC (Group II).

Training is given, but a recruit should be keen to undertake this type of work and be deft-fingered. Women with experience of factory work are most suitable, or women who have worked in gramophone or wireless assembly shops.

MOTOR TRANSPORT DRIVERS (Group V).

Candidates should be able to drive, but training will be given in servicing and handling service vehicles.

RADIO OPERATOR (Group IV).

Age limits 17-35.

Training is given. Women wishing to enroll must have special visual standards. They must be able to assume responsibility under active war conditions. Enrolment is subject to the recruit passing a selection board.

R/T OPERATOR (Group IV).

Training is given. Women must be mentally alert and have a clear speaking voice; they must also write with speed and legibility.

SICK QUARTER ATTENDANTS (Group ' M ')

Age limits 23-43.

Candidates are required to do a course of training before being re-classified as "trained" Sick Quarter Attendants. They gain experience in a W.A.A.F. Sick Quarters and in due course are summoned to attend the training school. They are primarily employed on duty in attendance on sick personnel of the W.A.A.F.

SPARKING PLUG TESTER (Group II).

Training is given. Candidates should be accurate, conscientious and deft-fingered. Experience of metal working is advantageous.

TELEPHONE OPERATOR (Group' V).

Training is given in this trade.

TELEPRINTER OPERATOR (Group IV).

Candidates should, if possible, be skilled tele­printer operators, but otherwise typists with a speed of not less than 30 words a minute.

WIRELESS OPERATOR (Group II).

Training is given. Candidates should be good at arithmetic, spelling and English, and able to write quickly and legibly. A knowledge of rhythm and a good sense of touch for trans­mitting purposes are essential.

W/T (SLIP READER)  OPERATOR (Group II).

Candidates must be "touch typists." Subse­quent to their disciplinary training they will undergo a preliminary course in Morse Code and "slip" reading, preparatory to training in the Automatic High Telegraph Service.