WOMEN'S WORK IN THE R.A.F.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 267, 31 July 1918, Page 2

WOMEN'S WORK IN THE R.A.F.

(By "Superintendent.") During tho past few months I havo had exceptional opportunities of observing tho woi'k done by women in, tho Koyal Air Force, more particularly upon the ollicc or administrative side. Tho thing which has impressed me most has beei the keenness displayed by these girls iu their work, their ready acceptance of responsibility, and in most cases tho justification of the responsibility so placed. I havo seen qui to young girls loin the I\. \ K clerical staff with auwlutely no technical knowledge, but so keen is their interest, in many cases that in a short timo enough technical knowledge has been acquired by them to inako them most useful members of tho staff, and one is frequently struck by the relianeo placed upon this knowledge by their superior officers. Frequently I havo heard girls who have sufficiently mastered the details of engines, aeroplane.-, spare parts, and organisation of the It.A.P. gravely discu'jsitit; theso matters with their chiefs, and incidentally relieving them of much minor labour and responsibility.In many cases very long hours havo cheerfully been worked to supply urgent needs at the front—needs in the meeting of which ofiice work has played a largo and essential part, ft is not ujera mechanical attention that is given to such work. I do feel that these girls are doing their share whole-heartedly to keep tho wheels of tho great British Air Service running smoothly, realising that their work is important, that it counts, that indeed ultimately the ascendancy of our splendid pilots over tho enemy may depeud upon tho manner in whicli it is carried oil. It requires a large share of grit to keep one's mind and nerves always keyed tip to concert pitch iu thesj tilings. Tho daily grind of office work has no limelight thrown upon it. But the girls who are putting their hearts into it have the Batisfac'jion of knowing that, in their special sphere, they ore holping to increase the fighting and striking power of the Eoyal Air Forco; for, splendid as the work of our gallant pilots and observers is, it could not possibly be carried on in the absence of the vast and iuanysided organisation behind it, which is. of course, dependent upon the sustained efficiency of offico work.