Ciona H

My training took place at Havergal College in Toronto. I was excited and scared, but thinking about how I would feel afterwards. The RCAF which I had joined was an important contributor during World War Two. Their contribution to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, also known as the BCATP, was important because we performed many responsibilities, allowing the men to serve overseas. I later became the Women's Division first officer. I was filled with happiness! I knew that I was chosen out of 17,038 women.
The year of 1942, was the time our duties had piled up. We became chauffeurs, hairdressers, musicians, pharmacists, laboratory assistants, parachute riggers, and began to perform tasks specifically chosen for men. In mid-1942, the Women’s Division had responsibilities outside the BCATP. I served in operating centers of the Western and Eastern Air Commands and worked at interpreting reconnaissance or bombing photographs. In December 1943, the RCAF Women's Division boasted a staff of 591 officers and 14,562 members of all ranks. The service was later abolished on December 11th, 1946 but five years later women were permitted to join the RCAF once again. In 1980, women were accepted as military pilots and in 1988, Canada became the first western country to license women as fighter pilots.
Although being a part of the RCAF didn't require me risking my life, I know that I did my very best to contribute. Serving overseas wasn't the most pleasant site, because I was constantly surrounded with death. But I am glad that I joined the RCAF and was worth seeing the horror, knowing that I helped many great soldiers.

-Kathleen Oonah Walker