World War Two Military Involvement (1941)
Between 1941 and 1942, three major all-women units of the Canadian Army were established;
1. The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) was started in 1941, initially as a volunteer auxiliary branch, but in 1942, it became a unit of the Canadian military. The 22,000 members of the CWAC were responsible for performing jobs in positions of clerical work, food services, vehicle driving and maintenance, laundry duty and essential logistics functions.
2. The Royal Canadian Air Force -- Women's Division (WDs) was also formed in 1941 and, like the CWAC, began as an auxiliary unit that, in 1942, became apart of the Canadian military. A total of 17,000 woman enlisted as WDs - their roles ranging from providing essential ground crew services to performing clerical and logistics tasks as well as serving in positions of photo intelligence analysis, meteorology, pharmacy, wireless operation, policing and teaching.
3. The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) was started in 1942. It comprised of a small selection of about 7,000 women who established naval trades and provided support to the Royal Canadian Navy.
The establishment of these units - in addition to the existing National Selective Service - allowed thousands of more women to take critical roles in Canada's work and military forces. Apart from allowing women to occupy an even greater range of jobs, the establishment of these three all-women military units gave the women of Canada a chance play a more influential role in Canada's participation in WWII.
1. The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) was started in 1941, initially as a volunteer auxiliary branch, but in 1942, it became a unit of the Canadian military. The 22,000 members of the CWAC were responsible for performing jobs in positions of clerical work, food services, vehicle driving and maintenance, laundry duty and essential logistics functions.
2. The Royal Canadian Air Force -- Women's Division (WDs) was also formed in 1941 and, like the CWAC, began as an auxiliary unit that, in 1942, became apart of the Canadian military. A total of 17,000 woman enlisted as WDs - their roles ranging from providing essential ground crew services to performing clerical and logistics tasks as well as serving in positions of photo intelligence analysis, meteorology, pharmacy, wireless operation, policing and teaching.
3. The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) was started in 1942. It comprised of a small selection of about 7,000 women who established naval trades and provided support to the Royal Canadian Navy.
The establishment of these units - in addition to the existing National Selective Service - allowed thousands of more women to take critical roles in Canada's work and military forces. Apart from allowing women to occupy an even greater range of jobs, the establishment of these three all-women military units gave the women of Canada a chance play a more influential role in Canada's participation in WWII.
Above is a photograph of the HMCS Conestoga - a building located near Galt Ontario - that was a training centre for members of The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. Its of particular significance because it was commanded by a woman, name (Lt.-Cdr.) Isabel Macneil, who was the first female commander of a naval ship in Canadian history. The role that Isabel Macneil and many other women played in Canada's military war effort during WWII would prove their exceptional ability to perform in roles of execution and leadership - once again changing the stereotypes of women's' capabilities in the workforce and military.