The history of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) and Voluntary Aid Detachments (VAD) during World War II.
The Australian Women’s Army Service or “AWAS” was a (non medical) women’s service established on 13 August 1941 to “release men from certain military duties for employment in fighting units”.
The Service recruited women between the ages of 18 and 45 and it was initially envisaged they would serve in a variety of roles including clerks, typists, cooks and drivers.
During the war a total of 24,026 women enlisted (with a maximum strength of 20,051 in January 1944). The AWAS had 71 barracks around the country. pp. 211 illusts. Signed by Author. Veterans’ names written on endpp. #1020 (Light soiling and cover creases. Firm copy.) First Edition. ISBN 10: 0864450486 ISBN 13: 9780864450487