Investigating the reality -- what women did

Look at the photographs below of women at work in the WAAAF.

  1. Compare the range of jobs with the advertisements referred to in the first component of this activity. What are the similarities and differences?
  2. Who might have taken these photographs, and for what purpose?
  3. How could you try and find out what the situation was during the war for most women?
  4. Are these better evidence for examining women's role in the WAAAF than the advertisements? Explain your reasons.

1

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(Above) Male mess Orderlies are now a thing of the past on most Australian Air Force Stations where the introduction of WAAAF staffs has released more and more men for active work in the operational areas. (AWM 13527

2

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(Above) The registration of wind variation is part of the WAAAF weather service routine. (AWM 13541)

3

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(Above) Modern kitchen range at a WAAAF barracks in North Australia. (AWM 17460)