The Australian Women's Register

Summary

Following her discharge from the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) on 29 November 1945 Dorothy Hawthorn joined the Reserve of Officers.

Educated at Brisbane Girls’ High School and Sommerville House, Hawthorn had been Deputy State Commissioner for the Girl Guides’ Association of Queensland, Secretary of the Federal Council for Girl Guides and worked for the Women’s Voluntary National Register with the Red Cross and the Australian Comforts Fund. She was one of the first WAAAF Officers appointed in March 1941, firstly with the Air Board and then Adjunct and Barracks Officer at the WAAAF Training Depot, Malvern. She became Commanding Officer of the Training Section in Sydney, and later, Section Officer with a Training Group. In 1944 Hawthorn was promoted to Wing Officer whilst in command of No 1 Training Depot, Larundel, Preston Victoria. Subsequently she served as Section Officer WAAAF at the North Eastern Area Headquarters of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).