SERVICE OVERSEAS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 28, 4 February 1943, Page 4

SERVICE OVERSEAS

FIRST DRAFT OF W.A.A.F. SERVICE (P.A.) Wellington, Feb. 3. “Recently the first members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force to be selected for duties overseas embarked for service beyond New Zealand,” the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, announced to-day. Mr. Jones said he could not say where the girls had gone, but they would sene at air force establishments where previous experience bad shown the conditions to be satisfactory. He was sure New Zealanders would feel proud that the Women's Auxiliary Air Forces, besides doing valuable service on the airfields of New Zealand, had now been judged fit to carry out important work overseas,

thus releasing men for service furthe afield and meeting the personnel re quirements for the rapidly expandin. operations of the Royal New Zealan Air Force.

The first overseas party had included transport drivers, medical orderlies, equipment assistants. clerks, meteorological observers and shorthand-typ-ists. '1 hey were under the charge of a capable W.A.A.F. supervisor, and would carry out the same duties overseas as they had done in New Zea land.

“Parents and relatives of the girls already serving in the auxiliary force in New Zealand can rest assured that the fact that thp girls have embarked for overseas service does not mean that all W.A.A F. members are automatically liable for overseas service,” the Minister added. No girl would be posted to overseas duties unless she volunteered and had the full approval of her parents. Girls who went overseas would be well looked after.