In late 1940, in order to release more men for flying duties, an Air Ministry committee agreed: 'No work should be done by a man, if a woman could do it or be trained to do it'

With conscription for women introduced from December 1941, the ranks swelled further so that by July 1943 a peak strength of 182,000 had been reached. By 1945 a quarter of a million women had served in the WAAF in over 110 different trades, supporting operations around the world. They were an integral and vital part of the Royal Air Force's war effort.

At R.A.F. Downham Market some 100 W.A.A.F's were posted there during 1944- 1945 and carried out various duties.

 

      WAAF's in the Control Tower     

 

           

WAAF Sergeant-Watch-Keeper Peggy-Moorcroft  

                         'nee' Tommy Thompson                                 

 

 

635 Squadron W.A.A.F's  

 

Mary Baldwin, Tommy Thompson, Audrey Smith, ? 

 

 

Signals W.A.A.F. Daphne Pointer  

 

 

 

W.A.A.F. Tommy Thompson at RAF Downham Market 1944  

 

 WAAF's having a laugh while having their photograph: "Knees up Mother Brown"  

 

Happy W.A.A.F's 'One for the Photo Album'       

 

 

WAAF's serving up a mug of Tea or Coffie with a splash of rum before the aircrews are debriefed   

    

                     

    W.A.A.F's Signals & Backroom Staff 1944                        

  

     WAAF's outside the Crew rooms on their Bicycles    

  

Section SO W.A.A.F's photographed with 635 Squadron airmen, left to right: F/Lt David Ware DFC R.A.F. DFC, F/Lt Ian Young DFC R.A.F. , F/Lt Jimmy Rowland DFC R.A.A.F. and F/Lt Dereck Dawes DFC R.A.F, . both W.A.A.F's names are unknown.    

WAAF's Lock arms while standing under a 635 Squadron Lancaster MkIII F2 E 'Egg' PB926 which was flown by Master Bomber Skippers Squadron Leader Artie Ashworth and Squadron Leader Pete Mellor. Photograph WAAF Ellie May. 

 

Queen Bee WAAF Flying Officer Hill anf some of her Ladies at Stone Cross Dormitory & Communal Area at Downham Market 1944.

 

 

 

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 Any W.A.A.F's that were stationed at R.A.F Downham Market, we would really like to hear from you or your family. Any photos you might still have we would like to add them to the website.

Please write to Pathfinder Publishing ref: W.A.A.F Request

F.A.O.  Christopher Coverdale

PATHFINFINDER PUBLISHING

PATHFINDER HOUSE

1032 LINCOLN ROAD

PETERBOROUGH

PE4 6AS

or email: mail@635squadron.com