Volunteer Air Observers Corps certificate - Miss M.D.A. Davidson

The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (V.A.O.C.) was a civil defence formed on 31 December 1941 as part of the Royal Australian Air Force (R.A.A.F.) support during World War Two. The V.A.O.C. rapidly developed observation posts manned by men and women all over Australia, with their main purpose being to identify and report any aircraft movement to an R.A.A.F. regional base. Initially the posts were manned 24 hours a day, gradually relaxing as the threat to Australia decreased. All members were continually trained in aircraft identification and provided an invaluable service to the R.A.A.F. and home front security in general. The V.A.O.C. was disbanded in April 1946. During its operation over 2 600 observations posts were maintained and around 25 000 personnel served.

Those who did serve were issued with a V.A.O.C individually numbered and registered metal and enamel badge, two of which are held in the collection. As no uniforms were issued to civilian volunteers, these were worn to show that the recipient was an active member of the Corps and involved in war related work.

This particular certificate was awarded to a Miss M.D.A. Davidson on 20 September 1945, and recognises her two years of service in the V.A.O.C. It came with the other certificate awarded to to Mr. J.H. Davison on the same date, so it seems likely that the two were related and that one of their names has been transcribed incorrectly.