AWAS on Rottnest - WF45908 THOMPSON JV
Documentation relating to the AWAS service of WF45908 Private Joan Veronica Thompson of Redcliffe born Cottesloe
Details
Details
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
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Nearest geotagged records:
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, MELLOR, 10 Light Horse (0.73km away)
- 1984/85 Western Australian Brewers Claxton Shield Series squad (0.85km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, BICKFORD, 10 Light Horse (1.25km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, JOHNSON, 10 Light Horse (2.37km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - W45670 HAMLEN (2.53km away)
- World War 1, Australia Western Australia, 1116 BREMNER, 10 Australian Light Horse, 1915 (2.7km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 1433 SCOTT, 10 Light Horse (3.05km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF94362 DICK (married HOLMES) (3.29km away)
- World War 1, Australia, Western Australia, 2261 WYLDE, 10 Light Horse (3.3km away)
- AWAS on Rottnest - WF96664 NEVIN (married CAMPBELL) (3.35km away)
View all geotagged records »
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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