Women and the Army

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume X, Issue 4, 1 October 1917, Page 200

Women and the Army

The Constitution of the Auxiliary Corps

When the war is over and the history of woman's part in it comes to be written, three things will stand out very strongly : admittance to the franchise ; the right to receive honours at the Soverign's hands ; and, last but not least, the right to join the Army in the defence of the country, state a writer in "The Queen." For although the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps is not a fighting division, the members are placed on the strength of the unit to which they are attached, and so are officially recognised as part of the British Expeditionary Force in France. Needless to say, there have had to be certain readjustments in order that women might be admitted to the ranks. For instance, the disciplinary methods have had to be modified, and in place of a court-martial — which cannot impose any penalty lighter than imprisonment — a court of summary jurisdiction has been appointed which can, for lighter offences, impose a fine. Obviously, however, in the interests of the Army, discipline cannot be entirely abolished, because the offending recruit happens to be a woman. Should a woman, after having taken the military oath of allegiance, leave the corps, she would be treated as a deserter and would be liable to imprisonment. Happily no such case has occurred. Such small offences as do occur are punished by fines or by "fatigues," which consist in any unpleasant little task that may be going. In France the women are treated as privates, and are subject to the Army officers and n.c.o.'s. In addition, however, they have their own officers and n.c.o.'s These do not rank in quite the same way as the ordinary Army officers, and in place of captains, lieutenants, etc., there are controllers: — of which there are only two, one in France and one in England — administrators, deputy administrators, and assistant administrators. These wear an officer's coat and tie, whilst the private — or "member," as she is called — wears a coat-frock fastened up to the neck. The woman n.c.o., who is promoted from the ranks, may belong either to the "lower" or "higher" grade. If to the former, she wears a distinguishing badge — a simple wreath on both arms. If she belongs to the higher grade she will wear a rose in the centre of the wreath.

This, then, is the constitution of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and although the disciplinary measures may sound somewhat alarming to the outsider, they are not regarded m that light by the girls themselves, who are thoroughly enthusiastic about their corps. Everything that can be done for their welfare and comfort is done, and the girls are very appreciative of the fact. The restrictions do not prevent the girls m France having a really good time when working hours are over, and they write home of picnics, garden parties, cricket matches, and races m so breezy a way as to make the recipients of the letters thoroughly envious. The girls are housed m comfortable huts and hostels at a safe distance from the firing line. The majority of the girls are engaged on clerical work ; others are employed as cooks, housemaids, laundresses, etc., m the hostels where the girls are housed.

The domestic workers receive rations and quarters, and £26 per annum, whilst the clerks receive from 23s to 32s per week, out of which they have to pay 14s for their board and lodgings. They also receive a bonus of £5 at the end of each year's service as well as an allowance of £4 for uniform. Some of the girls m the W.A.A.C. wonder why these terms have not attracted larger numbers to their ranks.

The above interesting account shows the opportunities offered to women at Home. Many of our New Zealand women would like to be offered the chance of joining this Auxiliary Corps. We think if their doing so would release men of our Expeditionary Force for service m the fighting line, they should have this opportunity. We would be glad to learn the conditions of the officers of this corps, and how their pay and allowances compare with those of the trained professional workers, the nurses, who m courtesy at all events, take the rank of officers.