Links to additional resources
AWAS on Rottnest - WF96144 HOBBY (married MITCHELL)
1942Subcollections
Overview
Documentation relating to the AWAS service of WF96144 Signalman Verna Florence Hobby (married name Mitchell) of Fremantle born Wagin
Historical information
In preparation
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-32-54-042
Contextual Information
The Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) was formed in late 1941, two years after the outbreak of World War 2. Australian women had been agitating for some time for the chance to join the War Effort. They wanted to do “real work, not knit sock for the men.” The primary aim of AWAS was to release men from some military duties so they could be deployed in fighting units.
Initial recruitment was for duties associated with “women’s work”, clerks, cooks and typists, still being done my male soldiers. Beginning in early 1942 as invading Japanese swept through the South West Pacific towards Australia, many more military trades were opened to women including signals, weapons plotting, drivers, which involved close contact with the coast defence systems on Rottnest.
This collection brings together the stories of women in the Australian Women’s Army Service who were deployed on Rottnest Island as part of the defences of Fortress Fremantle from 30 September 1942 onward. The content is based on a “Saluting Their Service” exhibition developed by the Rottnest Voluntary Guides on the 80th Anniversary of this deployment. The exhibition was presented at Kingstown Barracks, Rottnest Island from 8-9 October 2022 and at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia from 9 – 17 November 2022.
Year
Geotag
-33.308826669319, 117.3444864954
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Nearest geotagged records:
View all geotagged records »
Open in Google Maps
Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 360 AINSWORTH, 10 Light Horse (0.01km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 1054 THOMPSON, 10 Light Horse (0.02km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF96130 SHEARER (nee KILGARIFF) (0.02km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 4784 CUSACK, 10 Light Horse (0.03km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2263 KEALLEY, 10 Light Horse (0.03km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2397 QUARTERMAINE, 10 Light Horse (0.04km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2938 KERSHAW, 10 Light Horse (0.04km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2956 TAYLOR, 10 Light Horse (0.04km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF90726 MURRAY (0.04km away)
- World War 1, Western Australia, Nursing Service, SPRIGG, 1915 (0.05km away)
View all geotagged records »
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF94550 HUGHAN (married CHESTER) (nee JONES)
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF14961 SEDGMAN (married HUMPHRYS)
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF3192 JEFFREY (nee ROYCE)
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF15731 KEIR (married TRUSCOTT)
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AWAS on Rottnest - W45315 KILPATRICK
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF94502 LAURENCE
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF96557 LOLLER (married MILHAM)
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AWAS on Rottnest - W45254 MARR (married ROWLANDS)
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF94052 PEARSON
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF95350 RECKNER (married DAY)
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF96371 REDFERN
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AWAS on Rottnest - WF45957 ROCHFORT
