New Lease of Life

Whilst submitting to severe restrictions on their own lives, members of the RAF and WAAF were also offered new, liberating, opportunities.

Training could open up a range of trades not available in civilian life and lifelong skills were acquired.

Positions including radar operators, aircraft engine mechanics or cryptography assistants, gave many women their first taste of independence. Men without a driving licence or experience of travel, for example, could be trained to captain flying boats with crews of ten to be sent overseas. Overseas service broadened the geographical horizons of airmen and airwomen, whilst the camaraderie of service life was something to treasure.