The Australian Women's Register

Neilma Gantner, along with her son Carillo and brother Baillieu Myer, established The Gantner Myer Collection of Australian Aboriginal Art. Assembled over a four-year period by curator Jennifer Isaacs, the collection was unveiled in San Francisco in September 1999.

Neilma is the eldest daughter of Sidney and Merlyn (née Baillieu) Myer. Like her three siblings, she was born in San Francisco, California, but raised in Melbourne. Neilma completed her tertiary education at the Universities of Melbourne and Stanford. In 1941 she married Vallejo Gantner (later divorced) and they were to have two sons (one deceased).

Neilma Gantner was a member of the Executive of International Social Service, and of the Myer Foundation and the Sidney Myer Fund. She worked as a novelist, poet and short story writer under the pseudonym of Neilma Sidney, and founded the Four Winds Cultural Festival (Bermagui, New South Wales).

The career of Australian tennis player Thelma Coyne Long spanned more than 20 years. The winner of the Australian Women’s Singles title in 1952 and 1954 (aged 35 years) she was also runner-up in 1951, 1955 and 1956. From 1936 until 1940, Thelma Coyne and Nancye Wynne (later Bolton) were Australian Women’s Doubles Champions. During the war years of 1941 to 1945, no competition was held for major Australian tournaments and Long enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS). Following her discharge from the AWAS Long and Nancye Wynne Bolton continued their tennis careers. They won the Australian Doubles 1947-1949 and 1951-1952. Long then joined with Mary Hawton to win the doubles championship in 1956 and 1958 – 20 years after she won the National Junior Singles Championship aged 16. The pair were also runners-up for the Wimbledon Women’s Doubles title in 1957. Long was winner of the Australian Mixed Doubles 1951, 1952, 1954, 1955 and the French Mixed Doubles in 1956.

On 30 August 2000 Long was awarded the Australian Sports Medal and inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 2002.

A life member of the Australian Women’s Army Association (New South Wales) Long was actively involved in the archiving of the association records. In October 2002 she became a participant of the Australian Women in War Project working group.

The Australian Women’s Army Service Association (NSW) was established in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1948 for the purpose of organising an Australian Women’s Army Service reunion. This became an annual event held at various venues and organised by a number of committees over the years.

On 1 June 1953 May Douglas was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, in recognition for her service as Commissioner of Girl Guides in South Australia. She was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia on 26 January 1997 for service to veterans, particularly through the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps Association, and the Australia Remembers 1945-1995 Celebrations.

Made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) on 9 June 1980, Lady Cutler had previously been awarded Dame of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (1977) and Commander of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (1965).

Helen Morris married Roden Cutler (Governor New South Wales (NSW) 1966-1981) on 28 May 1946 and they had four sons. She was educated at Sydney Church of England Girls’ Grammar School and served with the Australian Women’s Army Service from 1942 to 1946.

Patron of the Children’s Book Council of Australia (NSW), Lady Cutler received an Honorary Fellow from the NSW College of Nursing. She was President of the NSW Division of the Save the Children Fund, Vice-President of the Girl Guides’ Association (NSW), Vice-President of the St John Ambulance Brigade and Honorary Colonel of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps 1967 to 1985.

The Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS) was established in December 1942. At that stage it was decided to distinguish between Voluntary Aid Detachments, whose governing body was the Joint State Council in each State and the Joint Central Council (the Commonwealth authority), and Voluntary Aids who were serving at Military Hospitals on a full-time basis under Army control. [1]

Author Patsy Adam-Smith, herself a member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) who joined the AAMWS, states in Australian Women at War:

From that date [December 1942], the Service’s officers and soldiers were subject to military law and to the provisions of the Defence Act, the Army Act and the Rules of Procedure…’The majority of the original recruits for the AAMWS were drawn from the ranks of the Voluntary Aid Detachments, and the experience they already had was of great benefit in their work in military hospitals, both home and overseas.’

In July 1949 the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service became part of the Regular Army. Two years later The Service was disbanded and its duties were incorporated into the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.

[1] Australian Women at War p. 194 and From Blue to Khaki p. 50

When established, the aim of the Ex-AAMWS (Australian Army Medical Women’s Service) Association of New South Wales Inc. was to maintain friendships formed during World War II as well as assisting members in whatever way possible. This includes the dissemination of information about pensions and benefits through their quarterly publication Pulse. Members also support a range of charities, care for frail members and participate in marches, wreath laying ceremonies and reunions.

In 1946 the Women’s Services Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League (RSL) received its Charter.

Membership to the League is open to:
• Those who served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in either of the two World Wars
• or in any theatre of conflict; or served overseas for not less than six months as a member of an approved peace-keeping force;
• or served for not less than six months in the regular or reserve forces of the ADF,
• or of any country not an enemy of Australia (shorter service can also qualify if discharge was honourable and for reasons beyond an individual’s control);
• or if you are an Australian or allied citizen and served with or in support of the ADF or allied forces in any theatre or conflict;
• or served during World War II, as a member of the Australian Women’s Land Army or as a member of a Voluntary Aid Detachment in a military or convalescent hospital. [1]

[1] http://www.rslnsw.com.au/index.cfm?page=237

A member of the New South Wales Army Nursing Service Reserve (NSWANSR), Bessie Pocock served in the Boer War. She was awarded the Queen’s and the King’s South Africa medals and mentioned in despatches. Once again Pocock enlisted in the defence force at the outbreak of World War I. Serving in Cairo and Ismailia (Egypt) Pocock was later a matron on hospital ships. On 2 May 1916 Bessie Pocock was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal (2nd class) for her service with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS).

Orphaned at the age of five, Ethel Davidson grew up with her half-brothers and sisters – children from her father’s first marriage. After completing her nursing training at Adelaide Hospital, she worked in district and private nursing.

In 1904 Davidson became a reserve member of the Australian Army Nursing Service, enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force in 1914. During World War I she was stationed at Mena, Cairo, where she was mentioned in despatches. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal, 2nd class, for her nursing service in England and France. On 3 June 1919 Davidson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military) for services to army nursing.

After leaving the army, Davidson became matron of the military hospital at Keswick (SA), a post she held until her retirement in 1933. From 1922 to 1926 she was president of the Returned Army Nurses’ Association of South Australia. In 1924 the Association became a sub-branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League.

Ethel Davidson never married and died on 21 April 1939. She is buried in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) cemetery, West Terrace, Adelaide.

The Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps Association was formed in New South Wales in 1977, following a visit to Australia by HRH Princess Margaret. Colonel-in-Chief (1953-1984) of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC), HRH Princess Margaret visited many parts of Australia in 1975. She observed a WRAAC Parade at Victoria Barracks New South Wales in October that year.

Established after a reunion, the association aims to provide contact and disseminate information to its members. This is achieved through quarterly meetings (March/ May/ August/ November) and a newsletter, Best Times, produced by the New South Wales Association.

The Council of Ex-Servicewomen’s Associations (NSW) was established in Sydney, New South Wales on 20 January 1975, as a vehicle for uniting and representing the many wartime service women who served Australia.

Kathleen Deasey was appointed assistant-controller Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS), Southern Command in November 1941. Prior to joining the AWAS, Deasey was lady superintendent at Melbourne’s Ladies College, Melbourne. Following World War II, Deasey worked with the Department of Immigration, after which she studied at the Sorbonne, Paris. Later Deasey returned to teaching and was a senior tutor in education at the University of Melbourne and then became Principal of St Ann’s College, University of Adelaide.

On 26 January 1997, June Stone was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to veterans particularly through the Council of Ex-Servicewomen’s Associations (New South Wales) and the Royal Australian Air Force Association State Council. She had previously been appointed to the Order of the British Empire (Civil) (BEM) on 12 June 1976.

In October 2002 June Stone became a member of the working group for the “Australian Women in War Project.”

The Sydney & Metropolitan Ex-Prisoners of War Welfare Association was established in 1999 after the NSW Ex-Prisoner of War (POW) Association and the NSW Ex-Prisoner of War (POW) Ladies Auxiliary were disbanded.

The main objectives of the Association are to:
• affirm and promote loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen and the Commonwealth of Australia.
• protect and promote the interests of Ex-Prisoners of War, their spouses, and widows of Ex-Prisoners of War.
• promote friendship and good fellowship between members by way of meetings, visitations and welfare where necessary.
• collect, raise money and receive donations for the carrying out of these objects or for any charitable purpose or for the benefit directly or indirectly of Ex-Prisoners of War, their spouses, and widows of Ex-Prisoners of War.

Membership of the Association is open to any person who was a member of the New South Wales Ex-Prisoners of War Association Inc, or who would have been eligible to become a member. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of the New South Wales Ex-Prisoners of War Association Inc, or any person who is a spouse or widow of an Ex-Prisoner of War, can make an application to become a member.

Members have regularly visited patients in their homes, nursing homes and hospitals, especially the Concord Repatriation Hospital (now Concord General Hospital). They have also involved themselves in specific projects such as obtaining special patient chairs for the Concord Repatriation Hospital or furniture for the Rose Garden at the hospital. These acquisitions were made with the help of members’ fundraising activities including selling of poppies, Remembrance Day and Anzac Badges as well as running trade tables, garage sales and garden parties.

Major Joyce Whitworth was Assistant Commander, Eastern Command New South Wales (NSW), Australian Women’s Army Service. She was discharged from the Army Service on 27 June 1946. From 1959 until 1972 she was President of the Australian Women’s Army Service Association (NSW). On the 21st Anniversary of the Australian Women’s Army Service, Joyce Whitworth planted an Australian Gum (Lemon Eucalyptus) in Hyde Park on the western side of the War Memorial, in the presence of Lt-General Sir John Northcott. For services to the community, Joyce Whitworth was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8 June 1968. In 1989 Joyce Whitworth became Patron of the Council of Ex-Servicewomen’s Associations (NSW), a position she held until her death on 19 September 1998.

The Australian Army Nursing Service, which was actually a reserve, was established on 1 July 1902. The Service was staffed by volunteer civilian nurses who would be available for duty during times of national emergency. Members of the Service served in both the World Wars, staffing medical facilities in Australia and overseas. In 1949 the Service became part of the Australian Regular Army and is now known as the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (RAANC).

IMPORTANT – Additional information about how to search for your own relative’s records can be found below. Click on details and scroll to the end.

Dawn Jackson was born in Kent, England, the daughter of Major-General R E Jackson CMG, DSO. Educated at St Catherine’s Church of England Girls School, Sydney, she served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment and subsequently with the Australian Army Women’s Medical Service. She was a member of the Australian Imperial Forces from 1941 to 1947 and saw service in the Middle East and New Guinea. Colonel Jackson was associated with the combined training of the Army Women’s Services Training Company and the Army Women’s Services Officers School.

On 2 December 1957 Dawn Jackson was appointed the second Director of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps, a post she held until February 1972.

Dawn Jackson was appointed to The Order of the British Empire – Officer (Military) on 11 June 1960 for her services to the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps.

Colonel Dawn Jackson died on 20 January 1995 in Canberra.

Kathleen Fowler enlisted in the Australian Women’s Army Service in 1943 and served in a variety of postings until demobilisation in 1947. She re-enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Army Service in April 1951. From 1961 she was directly involved in planning and administration of the WRAAC. On 23 Feb. 1972 she became the third Director of WRAAC and remained in the position until 4 July 1977.

Colonel Fowler was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on 9 June 1975.

Source used to compile this entry: A Stroll Down Memory Lane: A Brief History of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps.

Born in Burma in 1932, Barbara Maxwell came to Australia with her family in 1946 and attended Girdlestone School, Perth, Western Australia. She joined the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps (RAANC) in 1952, serving in Japan, and was in every Australian Command with the exception of Eastern Command.

While posted to the 11th RAANC, Western Command, Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Barbara Maxwell gained selection for the Officers’ Cadet School. This was after the Military Board gave approval for other ranks of the RAANC to attend the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) Officer Cadet School. Except for the last few days of the course Barbara Maxwell wore her RAANC grey uniform and she won the ‘Scarf of Honour’ (dux) for the course.

Barbara Maxwell was fourth Director of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps from 5th July 1977 to 14th March 1979. She was the first Director who had not previously served in Australia’s wartime army. Following her retirement from the Army Barbara Maxwell pursued a business career with her husband, Bruce Starrett. [1]

[1] Soldiers of the Queen by Janette Bomford p. 117

Colonel Dulcie Verinder’s appointment was “Head of Corps”, rather than Director. She graduated from the first WRAAC Officer Cadet Course in December 1952, and served in various capacities with the WRAAC, including five years as Chief Instructor at the WRAAC School.

In 1976 Dulcie Verinder was promoted to Colonel. At that time she was the only female officer to have been promoted to Colonel for appointment outside her Corps.

Colonel Dulcie Elizabeth Verinder was Head of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps from 1979 until 1981. On 14 July 1977 she was awarded the National Medal.

Margaret Wakehurst was the wife of the Governor of New South Wales. Lord Wakehurst was appointed Governor in 1937 and held the position until 1946.

During World War II she was associated with the Australian Women’s Land Army of New South Wales and while resident in Australia was patron of the Association. She was President of the Women’s Australian National Services (WANS).

Kitty McEwan was educated at Ormiston Ladies’ College and became a freelance journalist working with Australian Home Beautiful in 1929. Interested in the game of golf, she began writing about women and golf, for the Radiator in 1937 and the Sun News-Pictorial in 1938. She organised fund-raising for patriotic appeals during World War II. In June 1942 McEwan was appointed superintendent in Victoria of the Australian Women’s Land Army, a position she held until March 1946. After the war she returned to journalism, writing for the Sun News-Pictorial from which she retired in 1966. Kitty McEwan served as honorary publicity officer and an executive member of the National Council of Women Victoria and a councillor of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria. She died on 17 August 1969, aged 75 years.

Appointed lady superintendent of the New South Wales Army Nursing Service Reserve (NSWANSR), Nellie Gould left Australia on 17 January 1900 with thirteen nursing sisters to serve in the Boer War as part of the British Army. The nursing contingent returned to Australia in 1902.

On 27th September 1914 Nellie Gould enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and served in Egypt, caring for Gallipoli casualties, followed by service in France and then England. She returned to Australia in January 1919 and was discharged on 3 March. She was unfit to take up nursing duties again and from 1920 she received a war service pension.

In 1916 Nellie Gould was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal (1st class) for her war work.

The Army Nursing Service Reserve was established in 1899 and attached to the New South Wales Army Medical Corps. This was the first official female army nurses’ organisation in the Australian colonies. Nurse Nellie Gould was appointed lady superintendent of the Reserve. On the 17 January 1900 Nurse Gould left with thirteen nursing sisters to serve in the Boer War as part of the British Army. The nursing contingent returned to Australia in 1902. The Reserve was replaced by the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS), that was formed post Federation.

Clare Stevenson was appointed Director of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force on 9 June 1941. Thus she became head of the first Women’s Service formed in Australia for ground-staff duties with an armed force. After the war Stevenson returned to her executive position with Berlei Ltd. Also she became involved with community work. For forty years she was affiliated with the Services Canteens Trust Fund. Clare Stevenson, with a group of friends, helped initiate the Scholarship Trust Fund for Civilian Widows’ Children. She also helped establish the Kings Cross Community Aid Centre as well as the Carer’s Association of New South Wales. On 11 June 1960 Clare Stevenson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for social welfare services on behalf of ex-servicewomen. On Australia Day 1988 she received the Member of the Order of Australia award for service to the community and to the welfare of veterans.

The Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) was formed in March 1941 after considerable lobbying by women keen to serve and by the Chief of the Air Staff who wanted to release male personnel serving in Australia for service overseas. The WAAAF was the first and largest of the World War II Australian Women’s Services. It was disbanded in December 1947.