The Women's Auxiliary Air Force: Women had already begun to volunteer for jobs in the services prior to the outbreak of war, these included the Women's Voluntary Service (WVS), Air Raid Precautions and the Auxiliary Fire Service, to name but a few.
	The 10th April 1941 saw WAAF incorporated as an element of the armed forces of the crown for the first time. Prior to 1941, the ages that women could enlist and serve were between 18 and 43. It was late in 1941 that women were first conscripted into service. On 18th December 1941, the National Service (No. 2) Act came in to effect. This said that only unmarried women between the ages of twenty and thirty would be called up.
		In Training for service

They then had a choice of joining the auxiliary forces or doing essential factory work. It was agreed at this time that no women should be called upon to use a weapon under any circumstances. New technology training included such subjects as morse codeDuring the Second World War the recruiting criteria changed. The age range initially was 18 to 43, but this soon changed to 171⁄2 to 44 in 1941.

The initial strength at the start of the call up was 1734, but in 1941 with the introduction of compulsory call up for women, this escalated to 181,835 by 1943. The original WWI list of jobs remained in place for the women, but now there were many more technical jobs for them to carry out, particularly in the field of electronics. Women enlisted for a term of four years or the length of the war.
	Integration of the new service arm as quickly and efficiently as possible fell to Jane Trefusis-Forbes, Director of WAAF, who had been appointed in July 1939. It took Jane until the December to draw up the first WAAF Regulations. One of the problems she had to overcome was that of accommodation, particularly accommodation close to that of the men. Wherever the accommodation was it was regulated that everyone had to sleep with the window open, so during the winter it was necessary to dress in outdoor clothes for bed!
	visit the home of the WAAF
...::: THE 59 SQDN WAAF :::...

	So far I have only been able to source 3 WAAF personnel from 59 Sqn. They are Joyce Reed, Margie Humphries and Cpl Monica Regan. (below) Tieing the knot: The big day on Monday 30th October 1944, at the Parish Church in Hale, Farnham, Surrey. Ken 'Titch' Regan and Monica Bartlett are married. Ken also served with 59 Sqn.
If you know of any other WAAF personnel that served with 59 Sqn, please contact me, thank you.

Image from the Australian War Museum - 59 Squadron 1945 - No further details (View larger image) Image sent in by Bob Airey - Nephew of W/O Charles Dennis Airey - These could be members of the WAAF with 59 Sqn.