Women Needed
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With the need to free up men for the front lines, women were called into service with the armed forces. In 1941, the RCAF formed the women's division, which was followed by the formation of the Canadian Women's Army Corps. The navy was the last to fall in line, forming the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (Wrens). 50,000 Canadian women served in the military. Summerside women were ready to take up the call. Despite the entry into new occupations and surroundings, women forged ahead to fight a war. They served both overseas and in Canada. Their armed forces positions included jobs such as radio operators, mechanics, welders, armourers, parachute packers, administrative clerks, entertainment coordinators, ambulance drivers, jeep drivers, etc. Women received two-thirds of the basic pay alloted to men.

Many Canadian Women's Auxiliary Air Force (CWAAF) servicewomen were stationed at RCAF Station Summerside and made a considerable impact on the town.

Read about Summerside native Elaine Gallant, an air force recruit.

Nurses were a vital necessity just behind the front lines of war. They also travelled on the ships bringing the wounded back to Canada. Over 4500 Canadian women served as nursing sisters in World War II.

Things To Do!!!
  • Regardless of the jobs these women were doing or the conditions they were working under, they were not allowed to wear pants. In your opinion did this make sense? What was the dress code for women at this time? How would you go about convincing the military to change its mind?
  • Were there wage differences between the enlisted men and women? Why do you think this might have been? Check out www.legionmagazine.com/features/canadianmilitaryhistory/96-11.asp for some discussion on the matter.
  • Click on the Honor Roll Gallery that appeared in Holman's department store window.
  • Imagine you are a young woman of twenty in 1941. You come from an upper middle class family and have been attending college. You have just learned that you have been accepted as one of the first recruits in the Canadian Women's Army Corps. (To be accepted in the Army Corps a woman had to "be in good health, be at least 21 years old, of exemplary character, suitable temperament, appearance and general smartness, and take three months basic training.) Your parents are not aware that you applied. Write a letter home gently telling them the news and preparing them for a short visit home before you go to basic training.
  • What do you think would be some of the issues faced by these young women entering the armed forces? One issue they did face was that other women often looked upon them as having a lower standard of morality in that they were willing to work alongside men. Go to http://www.valourandhorror.com/DB/ISSUE/Women/index.htm to learn more about women in the service.
  • Go to http://www.wyattheritage.com/mainsite/slemonprk/transcripts.asp to view the 2003 R.C.A.F/C.F.B Summerside Reunion follow-up site to read some of the experiences of air-force women serving in Summerside.
  • You are a young officer serving in the air force. You have just learned that a women's branch is being formed. What is your reaction? How do you feel this will impact the conduct of the airmen under your command?
  • Click on the December 1943 special issue of the Journal to honour RCAF Station Summerside. There is a list of Summerside Boys and Girls who joined the air force. Debate the choice of words, Boys and Girls when referring to people joining the service.