Servicewomen

Servicewomen are listed alphabetically by their surname.

Military abbreviations used in service files have been compiled by Library and Archives Canada and can be viewed by clicking here.

A

Aquilin, Evelyn - Private

May/43, p.2 – “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Evelyn Aquilin – CWAC.”
Feb/44, p.2 – (W-110818) “Evelyn Aquilin…(is) with the CWAC’s Vancouver Barracks.”

Arnold, Verna - CWAC

Jul/43, p.5 – “Verna Arnold of the Dept. Store Staff has joined the CWAC.”
Nov/44, p.1 – “Verna Arnold in the sister service, crashes her first hurdle by grabbing off a lance jack rank.”

Aster, Alice RCAF (WD)

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Alice Aster…”

B

Doris Bailey circa 1938-1945 (ID PH002317)

Bailey, D.E.M. (Doris) – Private CWAC

Vol.18/1942/No.5-May. p.13 – “Already Jeanne Banham and Doris Bailey are in the regular service forces; and in May, Misses Eileen Heavenor, Florence Hembroff and “Jerry” Doran left to take up duties in Eastern Canada.”
Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include Doris Bailey…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “In the CWAC (is) Doris Bailey.”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Doris Bailey – CWAC.”
Nov/44, p.2 – (W-11490) CWAC PTS Can. Section GHQ 2 Echelon 21 Army Group CAO Belgium “As far as we know at the moment, Doris Bailey is the first local girl to cross the Channel. Doris is somewhere up in Belgium, and we depend on you chaps to keep a brotherly eye (and we mean just that) on Doris if she starts wandering off the man drags in Brussels – and more particularly in Namur.”
Jul/46, p16 – “Eighteen local girls joined the CWAC, four of whom served overseas. Doris Bailey was our first enlistment in this corps and the first of her group to proceed overseas, in December, 1943. Doris served in the United Kingdom and went to the continent after D Day. At the time of writing she is back in Powell River. Other local CWAC’s in the overseas army included Mary Loukes, Mrs. Gladice MacIntyre and Phyllis Simmonds.”

Banham, Jean – Sergeant RCAF

Vol.18/1942/No.5-May. p.13 – “Already Jeanne Banham and Doris Bailey are in the regular service forces; and in May, Misses Eileen Heavenor, Florence Hembroff and “Jerry” Doran left to take up duties in Eastern Canada.”
Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Jean Banham…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Jean Banham…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Jean Banham – RCAF.”
Vol.19/1943/No.10-Oct. p.10 – “Two of the girls, LAW Jean Banham and LAW Doris Humphrey are now overseas.”
Jun/45, p.3 – (W-302064) RCAF Records London England “…Many thanks for the smokes which I have received regularly since my arrival overseas…On the subject of cigarettes, Doris Humphrey brought me a darling holder of black wood from Killarney…Sgt. Zella Stade was in to pick up her discharge…Have realized an ambition at last. I’ve been to Belfast, Dublin and Wales. Spent my last leave in Liverpool.”
Jul/46, p16 – “The Air Force attracted the larger proportion of Powell River girls. Twenty-three of them served their country in the air branch, and a considerable number proceeded overseas. Sgt. Jean Banham holds the honor of being the first girl to enlist in any of the forces. She joined the RCAF (WD) in November 1941. She was the first Powell River girl to be selected for Overseas service and arrived in the United Kingdom in June 1943. She was singled out for special attention by Her Majesty, the Queen, when she inspected Jean’s unit…Doris Humphrey, Elsie Foster, Hazel [sic] Clapp, Marjorie Fairgrieve and Zella Stade were all in he overseas group.”

Jean Banham and Harold Gribble (ID PH002260)

Jean Banham meeting the Queen (Queen Elization) (ID PH002301)

Bryan, Bertine – see Parkin, Bette (below)

C

Clapp, Hazelle - RCAF

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Hazelle Clapp…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Hazelle Clapp – RCAF.”
Jul/46, p16 - “The Air Force attracted the larger proportion of Powell River girls. Twenty-three of them served their country in the air branch, and a considerable number proceeded overseas. Sgt. Jean Banham…Doris Humphrey, Elsie Foster, Hazel [sic] Clapp, Marjorie Fairgrieve and Zella Stade were all in he overseas group.”

Craigen, Louise – Private CWAC

Jan/45, p.3 – (W-111355) #1 Coy RCEME Queens Park London Ont “Thanks for the lovely Christmas gift and for the News Letters. Am stationed at Meredith Barracks here and am in the Orderly Room of the RCEME and like it fine. Haven’t seen any P.R. people yet but hear there are some around.”
Apr/45, p.2 – “And Louise Craigen…is proving a bit of a Dead Eye at the indoor range. Is out for her marksman’s medal and has several 95 scores to her credit already.”
Jun/45, p.2 – “Pte. Louise Craigen, who has been doing some fancy shooting on the indoor range, is the first of our girls who appears destined for the Pacific. Louise (Canadian 2nd Echelon, Pacific Force, Brockville, Ont.) is quite thrilled and looking forward to her ramblings in Pacific areas.”

D

Donkersley, Betty – CWAC

Betty Donkersley (ID PH002303)

Gerry Doran (ID PH002307)

Doran, A.W. “Gerry” – RCAF

Vol. 18/1942/No.5-May. p.13 – “Already Jeanne Banham and Doris Bailey are in the regular service forces; and in May, Misses Eileen Heavenor, Florence Hembroff and “Jerry” Doran left to take up duties in Eastern Canada.”
Vol. 18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…”Gerry” Doran…”
Vol. 19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…”Gery Doran…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…”Gerry” Doran –

Dore, Alice (Sis) (Mrs. Earle) – Sergeant RCAF

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Mrs. Earle Dore – RCAF.”
Mar/44, p.3 – LAW (W-306601) MPO 303 Trenton Ont “…I really enjoy the News Letters. I read them and send tem on to Earl…See Pat Hughes now and then and this week end am going to New York with Marge Evans to visit Peggy Fowler…say hello to all the gang over at the Kipp-Taylor hangout and tell them I would like a note once in a while.”
Apr/44, p.2 – “…in to town pops “Sis” Dore, trim and efficient with three well earned hooks. (in a sweet spot to ride herd on Corporal Dore – and Sis asks us to tell Earl that is just what she intends doing).
May/44, p.4 – (in letter from Earl Dore) “…Guess by the time this arrives, my wife (Sis) will have been there and gone.”

Alice 'Sis' Dore (ID PH002308)

Jean Dunlop (ID PH002327)

Dunlop, J. (Jean) – Corporal CWAC

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Jean Dunlop – CWAC.”
Vol.19/1943/No.9-Sep. p.13 – (re: the cover picture) “Left is Miss Jean Dunlop…Prior to her enlistment in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, Jean was employed in the Powell Stores. Today, along with 35 other Powell River girls, she is helping release men for front line service.”
Feb/44, p.3 – (W-110817) Jean Dunlop…(is) with the CWAC’s Vancouver Barracks.”
Oct/44, p.2 – “Jean Dunlop keeps up the reputation of our gals by grabbing off two hooks. That may not be all the interesting news you hear about Jean. If you want to know, drop her a line. (Cpl. Dunlop, Jean (W-110817) 29th Coy CWAC Vancouver Barracks Vancouver BC)”

E

Evans, Marjorie – Sergeant – CWAC

Mar/44, p.3 – (in a letter from Alice Dore) “this week end am going to New York with Marge Evans to visit Peggy Fowler…”
Mar/45, p.1 – “And Majorie Evans, slugging through records and Part Two orders at Ottawa, has climbed up to Sgt.”

Marjorie Evans (ID PH002309)

F

Fairgrieve, Marjorie

Jul/46, p16 - “The Air Force attracted the larger proportion of Powell River girls. Twenty-three of them served their country in the air branch, and a considerable number proceeded overseas. Sgt. Jean Banham…Doris Humphrey, Elsie Foster, Hazel [sic] Clapp, Marjorie Fairgrieve and Zella Stade were all in he overseas group.”

Elsie Foster (ID PH002306)

Foster, Elsie – LAW RCAF

Dec/44, p.3 – (W-314988) #1 SFTS Camp Borden Ont “Many thanks for the lovely Christmas gift from the Company, and for the News Letters which I receive regularly and enjoy very much. Have seen Ron Russell a few times, also Art McPhalen. They are both on the Army Camp here. Have just returned from a very enjoyable trip to New York.”
Jul/46, p16 - “The Air Force attracted the larger proportion of Powell River girls. Twenty-three of them served their country in the air branch, and a considerable number proceeded overseas. Sgt. Jean Banham…Doris Humphrey, Elsie Foster, Hazel [sic] Clapp, Marjorie Fairgrieve and Zella Stade were all in he overseas group.”

Fraser, M.D. (Peggy) – AW1 (W-315811) RCAF (WD)

Feb/44, p.2 - “Peggy Fraser is at #7 Equipment Depot, Winnipeg.”
Dec/44, p.4 – “Please thank the Company for the lovely Christmas gift. It is nice to be remembered by the people that you used to work for…I went to Montreal for my New Year’s leave, and in one of the movie shorts a picture of good old Powell River flashed on the screen. I am sure everybody in the show must have heard me yell “Hey, that is my Home Town” – I sure felt proud of Powell River then.”

Peggy Fraser (ID PH002305)

G

Grundle, Mildred - L.A.W.

Feb/44, p.2 - “We have official confirmation on Jackie Grundle. His wife is LAW Mildred Grundle, and the picture we have shoes Jack can pick ‘em.”

Mildred Grundle (ID PH002159-2)

Mildred and Jack Grundle looking at fabrics (ID PH002324)

H

Francis Haigh (ID PH002314-2)

Francis Haigh (ID PH002314)

Haigh, Francis – Corporal RCAF (WD)

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Francis Haigh – RCAF.”
May/43, p.3 – (in a letter from Julia McGuffie) “When we arrived here the four of us from Powell River, Bette Parkin, Francis Haigh, Edith Taylor and myself all had our own ideas of sleeping in beds by each other. They changed all that. They sent us to bed in alphabetical order…”
Vol.19/1943/No.10-Oct. p.10 – “And recently word was received that Bette Parkin and Frances (sic) both graduated with honors from their respective classes.”
Jan/44, p.3 – (W-312311) RCAF (WD) Dartmouth, NS “Thanks for the lovely present the Company sent. I really appreciate it, and when the kids saw the chocolates they made one concerted dive for them. Dinner was served in the mess and as we went in they handed everyone a quart bottle of beer…Got my “A” grouping effective January 1st.”
Aug/44, p.2 – (W-312311) RCAF Station Admin. Bldg. Dartmouth Ns “Frances Haigh is a full corporal…”
Vol.20/1944/No.10-Oct. cover/p.15 – “This month’s cover picture is…our own Cpl. Frances Haigh, RCAF (WD), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Haigh of Powell River. Frances is one of the 46 local girls who have enlisted for service. These girls, as much as our boys, have “Invested in Victory” by joining the colors, and relieving men for frontline service. Seven of our girls are already serving overseas, and the others are doing their duty in widely spread atations throughout Canada.”
Vol.20/1945/No.1-Jan.. p.12 – “Sometime before Christmas, Corporal Frances Haigh, RCAF, well known in PowellRiver’s younger set, was relaxing in her Dartmouth barracks. Like all good solders and airmen, Frances had taken off her tunic and was preparing for a little siesta...Frances as just preparing to climb or roll into one of those nice feathered couches, thoughtfully prepred by a grateful government, when a group of visitors invaded her quarters. In the forefront was a charming lady in Air Force uniform, who smiled, walked over to Frances and said, “Why, hello, how are you?”…she recognized her visitor as Her Royal Highness Princess Alice…They chatted together for some time and the Princess was obviously amused…at catching Frances off guard. But neither is there evidence that Fran was the least bit flustered.”

Hassell, Joyce - CWAC

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “In the CWAC (is) Joyce Hassell.”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Joyce Hassell – CWAC.”

Heavenor, Elaine – RCAF

Vol.18/1942/No.5-May. p.13 – “Already Jeanne Banham and Doris Bailey are in the regular service forces; and in May, Misses Eileen Heavenor, Florence Hembroff and “Jerry” Doran left to take up duties in Eastern Canada.”
Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Elaine Heavenor”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Elaine Heavenor…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Elaine Heavenor – RCAF.”

Elaine Heavenor (ID PH002302)

Hembroff, Margaret – Corporal RCAF

Vol.18/1942/No.5-May. p.13 – “Already Jeanne Banham and Doris Bailey are in the regular service forces; and in May, Misses Eileen Heavenor, Florence Hembroff and “Jerry” Doran left to take up duties in Eastern Canada.”
Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Maragret Hembroff…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Margaret Hembroff…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Margaret Hembroff – RCAF.”
Jul/43, p.1 – “Margaret Hughes (is) a full Corporal…It was always a row with the Hembroff family over this…Bill Hembroff, who has been in the forces for the last two years, grabbed off two stripes about a week ahead of sister Margaret – which saved a family squabble”

Frances Hughes (ID PH002319)

Frances Hughes (ID PH002319-2)

Hughes, Frances – L/Wren WRNCS

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Francis [sic] Hughes – WRNCS.”
Jul/43, p.2 – (W-1756) HMCS Stadacona FMO Halifax NS “Thank you ever so much for the News Letter; I received my second copy today. The P.R. Company takes a greater interest in its employees in the Services than any other I have heard of. The life of a Wren is a very interesting one, especially in Halifax. I can’t understand why the other girls want to stay in Powell River, even if it is a grand town, when there is so much going on in the rest of the world.”
Feb/44, p.2 - “WREN Frances Hughes still paces the quarterdeck at Halifax and takes the salute and an eyes right from the lads.”
May/44, p.1 – “And a life on the rolling wave seems to agree with Fran Hughes, for they have boosted her up to Leading Wren.”
Vol.20/1944/No.11-Nov. p.13 – (photo caption) “Another brother and sister combination in the services. Left: Ldg. Wren Frances Hughes and (right) PO David Hughes.”
Jul/46, p16 - “Recruiting for the “Wrens” was spasmodic. It never reached the proportions demanded by the air or military forces. Only two local girls were in the feminine tars’ sections of the forces. These were Frances Hughes and Grace Scott. Both girls saw over two years of service. Frances was attached to HMCS Stadacona at Halifax, after training at Galt; Grace commuted between east and west and was first attached to HMCS Bytown at Ottawa; and later transferred to HMCS Givenchy, at Esquimalt.”

Hughes, Patsy “Pat” – Sergeant RCAF (WD)

Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Patsy Hughes…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Patricia Hughes…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…”Pat” Hughes – RCAF.”
Jul/43, p.1 - “Patsy Hughes (is) a full Corporal.”
Vol.19/1943/No.5-May. p.11 – “And amomg our girls, Patsy Hughes gets the first boost to non-commissioned rank. She is now Cpl. Hughes, Patsy.”
Feb/44, p.2 – “Corporal Pat Hughes, after junketing around New York and way points, is back at Mountain View, Ont.”
Feb/44, p.3 – RCAF Station Mountain View Ont “Thanks for the Powell River Company’s swell Xmas present. It was a grand surprise and really made me feel remembered…funny how getting away from the old home town makes a person really appreciate it. The weather is cold and crisp here with some snow.”
Mar/44, p.3 – (in a letter from Alice Dore) “See Pat Hughes now and then…”
Apr/44, p.2 – “…and Pat Hughes upholds the family tradition by grabbing off three hooks. (No more of this Hiya Patsy stuff, fellows – start off all letters “dear Sarg”).”
Jun/45, p.1 - “About 15 have been discharged in the past month. These include…Pat Hughes…”

Pat Hughes (ID PH002326)

Doris Humphrey (ID PH002325)

Humphrey, Doris – Corporal RCAF (WD) Overseas

Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Doris Humphries…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Doris Humphrey…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Doris Humphrey – RCAF.”
Vol.19/1943/No.10-Oct. p.10 – “Two of the girls, LAW Jean Banham and LAW Doris Humphrey are now overseas.”
Feb/44, p.1 – “We did hear that sixteen of the troops took Doris Humphrey to a show. We told that to a few of the local lassies, and Doris is now about as popular as a hive of bees at a picnic.”
Feb/44, p.4 – “The first pictures of the Beaver Club Reunion have just come in…We liked that 16 men and a girl one, with Doris Humphrey surrounded by local wolves.”
Mar/44, p.5 – (re: Reunion) “There were many sighs of envy as Doris Humphrey and Zella Stade, appeared and reappeared surrounded by hopeful swains.”
Mar/45, p.1 – “Doris Humphrey, helping to keep the Pay and Records straight in London has hoisted two hooks to the masthead.”
Mar/45, p.4 – (W-305356) “Thanks again for the cigarettes and News Letters which arrive regularly. Watson McKnight and I work side by side and always exchange the latest gen [sic] on the old home town.”
Jun/45, p.3 – (in a letter from Jean Banham) “…On the subject of cigarettes, Doris Humphrey brought me a darling holder of black wood from Killarney…”
Jul/46, p16 - “The Air Force attracted the larger proportion of Powell River girls. Twenty-three of them served their country in the air branch, and a considerable number proceeded overseas. Sgt. Jean Banham…Doris Humphrey, Elsie Foster, Hazel [sic] Clapp, Marjorie Fairgrieve and Zella Stade were all in the overseas group. Doris has the honor of being the sole feminine representative of Powell River at the Overseas Reunion in January, 1944.”

Hunter, Brisbane

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Brisbane Hunter…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Brisbane Hunter – RCAF.”
Feb/44, p.2 – “Brisbane Hunter is at #3 Repair Depot, Vancouver.”
Dec/44, p.2 – “Among the women members of the forces, Bertine Bryan (nee Bette Parkin), Brisbane Hunter and Joan Tomlinson have taken their tickets.”
Feb/45, p.2 – “Since the start of the war, 95 Powell River men and women have been discharged from all the services. Among the girls are Julia McGuffie, Brisbane Hunter, Betty Bryan (nee Parkin) and Mrs. Ernie McLeod.”

I

Irwin, “Teddy” RCAF (WD)

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…”Teddy” Irwin – CWAC (sic).”

Teddy Irwin (ID PH002315)

K

Kielty, Margaret

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Maragret Kielty…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Margaret Kielty – RCAF.”

L

Lawson, Eleanor

Jan/45, p.5 – (in a letter from Beppie Tomado) “Ran into three Powell River girls, Eileen Morrison, Eleanor Lawson and Lois Taylor in Victoria. Sure good to see some real girls.”

Mary Loukes (ID PH002304-2)

Mary Loukes (ID PH002304)

Loukes, Mary – Private – CWAC

Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Mary Loukes…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Mary Loukes…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Mary Loukes – CWAC.”
Nov/44, p.2 – (W-11363) CWAC Reinforcing Coy. #1 CGRU CAO
Jul/46, p16 - “Eighteen local girls joined the CWAC, four of whom served overseas. Doris Bailey was our first enlistment in this corps and the first of her group to proceed overseas, in December, 1943. Doris served in the United Kingdom and went to the continent after D Day. At the time of writing she is back in Powell River. Other local CWAC’s in the overseas army included Mary Loukes, Mrs. Gladice MacIntyre and Phyllis Simmonds.”

M

McGuffie, Julia – AW2 RCAF

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Julie McGuffie – RCAF.”
May/43, p.3 – (W-312309) 7 Manning Depot Rockliffe Ont “Well here I am in the Air Force at Rockliffe. When we arrived here the four of us from Powell River, Bette Parkin, Francis Haigh, Edith Taylor and myself all had our own ideas of sleeping in beds by each other. They changed all that. They sent us to bed in alphabetical order and I found an “MC” girl from the east beside me Guess it will work out all right though. In the drill hall here, there is basketball, badminton, handball, indoor soft ball and every gymn [sic] convenience. On Saturday night dances are held in the drill hall. There are 140 girls in out squadron: 19 from BC; four from Powell River.”
Feb/44, p.2 – “Julia McGuffie is at Patricia Bay.”
Feb/45, p.2 - “Since the start of the war, 95 Powell River men and women have been discharged from all the services. Among the girls are Julia McGuffie, Brisbane Hunter, Betty Bryan (nee Parkin) and Mrs. Ernie McLeod.”

McGuire, Gwen

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Gwen MaGuire…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Gwen McGuire – RCAF.”

MacIntyre, Gladys – Lance Corporal

Aug/44, p.2 – “And word from CWAC headquarters comes word that Gladys MacIntyre is now a lance corporal.”
Jul/46, p16 - “Eighteen local girls joined the CWAC, four of whom served overseas. Doris Bailey was our first enlistment in this corps and the first of her group to proceed overseas, in December, 1943. Doris served in the United Kingdom and went to the continent after D Day. At the time of writing she is back in Powell River. Other local CWAC’s in the overseas army included Mary Loukes, Mrs. Gladice MacIntyre and Phyllis Simmonds.”

MacLean, Kay – LAW RCAF

Jan/45, p.4 – (W-314188) East Camp RCAF Station Patricia Bay BC “Thanks a million for the News Letters and for the Company’s super Christmas gift…Am still at Pat Bay, and after fourteen months, a posting to anywhere would be pretty good…Spent a few days in P.R. at Christmas, and it is hard to believe a town could change so much.”

McLeod, E.V. (??), Mrs.Ernie

May/44, p.3 – “Mrs. McLeod joined the CWAC’s at the same time (as her husband, Ernie McLeod) and is also stationed in Toronto.”
Feb/45, p.2 - “Since the start of the war, 95 Powell River men and women have been discharged from all the services. Among the girls are Julia McGuffie, Brisbane Hunter, Betty Bryan (nee Parkin) and Mrs. Ernie McLeod.”

McPhalen, Majorie

Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…Majorie McPhalrn…”
Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Marjorie McPhalen…”
May/43, p.2 – “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Marjorie McPhalen – RCAF.”
Vol.20/1944/No.3-Mar. p.13 – “And Marjorie McPhalen, now Mrs. Bud Fairgrieves, both serving overseas (has married).”

Morrison, Eileen

Jan/45, p.5 - (in a letter from Beppie Tomado) “Ran into three Powell River girls, Eileen Morrison, Eleanor Lawson and Lois Taylor in Victoria. Sure good to see some real girls.”

O

Oster, “Sis”

Vol.18/1942/No.9-Sep. p.13 – “The girls now serving in the forces include…”Sis” Oster…”

P

Parkin, Bette (Mrs. Bertyne Bryan - Married December 25, 1943 to James Henry Bryan)

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Bette Parkin – RCAF.”
May/43, p.3 – (in a letter from Julia McGufie) “When we arrived here the four of us from Powell River, Bette Parkin, Francis Haigh, Edith Taylor and myself all had our own ideas of sleeping in beds by each other. They changed all that. They sent us to bed in alphabetical order…”
Vol.19/1943/No.10-Oct. p.10 – “And recently word was received that Bette Parkin and Frances (sic) both graduated with honors from their respective classes.”
Vol.20/1944/No.3-Mar. p.13 – “…and Bette Parkin marrying into the Navy…”
Vol.20/1944/No.6-Jun. p.3 – (photo caption) “One more brother and sister combination now in the Active Service Forces. Bob Parkin, serving Overseas with the RCNVR, photographed with sister Betty (Mrs. J. Bryan) in the RCAF (WD).”
Dec/44, p.2 - “Among the women members of the forces, Bertine Bryan (nee Bette Parkin), Brisbane Hunter and Joan Tomlinson have taken their tickets.”
Feb/45, p.2 - “Since the start of the war, 95 Powell River men and women have been discharged from all the services. Among the girls are Julia McGuffie, Brisbane Hunter, Betty Bryan (nee Parkin) and Mrs. Ernie McLeod.”

Betty Bryan (nee Parkin) and husband James Henry Bryan (ID PH002345)

Peteske, Nancy

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Nancy Peteske – RCAF.”

Price, Mollie - LAW

Dec/44, p.5 – (W-314971) MPO 1111 Vancouver BC “Please thank the Powell River Company for the Christmas parcel. I was thrilled with it. It can’t take the place of the News Letter, which I think is the best morale booster I’ve ever had in this outfit. Please note my new address.”

R

Aleda Roberts (ID PH002310)

Roberts, Aleda - RCAF (WD)

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Aleda Roberts – RCAF.”

Rolandi, Violet - RCAF (WD)

- Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Violet Roland…”

S

Scott, Beverly – Corporal RCAF (WD)

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Beverly Scott – RCAF.”
Sep/44, p.2 – “Among our girls, the latest gazette notice tells us Beverly Scott, RCAF (WD) is now a Corporal and doing a generally swell job at her station (#7 B & G School, Paulson, Man).”

Beverly Scott (ID PH002323)

Grace Scott (ID PH002318)

Scott, Grace – Leading Wren WRCNS

May/44, p.4 – (W-3080) #1 Station HMCS Bytown % FMO Ottawa Ont. “Received the News letter today and believe me I enjoyed it. Have been residing at Rideau Military Hospital this past two weeks with a little throat trouble. My big brother Frank is still in Italy and has a little to say about the liquid refreshment over there. He is in the best of health. Say hello to Doug Taylor and tell him to save me one of his delicious milk shakes. I’ll be home to collect it for Christmas.”
Nov/44, p.1 – Moresby House HMCS Givenchy FMO Esquimalt BC “Grace Scott jumps into the money as a Leading Wren.”
Jul/46, p16 - “Recruiting for the “Wrens” was spasmodic. It never reached the proportions demanded by the air or military forces. Only two local girls were in the feminine tars’ sections of the forces. These were Frances Hughes and Grace Scott. Both girls saw over two years of service. Frances was attached to HMCS Stadacona at Halifax, after training at Galt; Grace commuted between east and west and was first attached to HMCS Bytown at Ottawa; and later transferred to HMCS Givenchy, at Esquimalt.”

Simmons, Phyllis – Sergeant CWAC Overseas

Mar/44, p.1 – “Phyllis Simmonds goes into first place among the girls. She now sports the three stripes of a full fledged Sergeant, CWAC Overseas. And we expect all you lugs to say “Yes, Sergeant”, when you next see Phyllis.”
Jul/46, p16 - “Eighteen local girls joined the CWAC, four of whom served overseas. Doris Bailey was our first enlistment in this corps and the first of her group to proceed overseas, in December, 1943. Doris served in the United Kingdom and went to the continent after D Day. At the time of writing she is back in Powell River. Other local CWAC’s in the overseas army included Mary Loukes, Mrs. Gladice MacIntyre and Phyllis Simmonds.”

Note: Although the Digester spells Phyllis' last name with a "d", the correct spelling is: Simmons.

Phyllis Simmons (ID PH002311)

Ann Sivertson (ID PH002321)

Sivertson, Ann - CWAC

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Ann Sivertson – CWAC.”

Smythe, Mary - RCAF (WD)

Mary Smythe (ID PH002320)

Stade, Zella – Sergeant RCAF

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Zella Stade…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Zella Stade – RCAF.”
Feb/44, p.4 – (in a letter from A.L. Rorke) “…Out with Zella Stade the other night. My gosh, what a relief to go out with a Canadian girl again. They don’t ask you to marry them the second time out.”
Feb/44, p.5 – “The first pictures of the Beaver Club Reunion have just come in…rather taken with the one of Corp. Zella Stade gazing soulfully into Albert Mitchell’s large brown eyes. (what ho! Lieut. Rorke!)”
Mar/44, p.5 - (re: Reunion) “There were many sighs of envy as Doris Humphrey and Zella Stade, appeared and reappeared surrounded by hopeful swains.”
May/44, p.1 – “It’s three stripes for Zella Stade and a seat in the Sergeants’ Mess.”
May/44, p.4 – (in a letter from G. Gibson) “…Zella Stade is at this station and she has received her third hook…”
Nov/44, p.2 – “A few weeks earlier (to FO Martin Naylor’s marriage to Miss Sandra Cadman), Sgt. Zella Stade married an RAF officer in England, which sort of squares things up, but which will be received with groans from most of the gang who know Zella.”
Jun/45, p.3 – (in a letter from Jean Banham) “…Sgt. Zella Stade was in to pick up her discharge…”
Jul/46, p16 - “The Air Force attracted the larger proportion of Powell River girls. Twenty-three of them served their country in the air branch, and a considerable number proceeded overseas. Sgt. Jean Banham…Doris Humphrey, Elsie Foster, Hazel [sic] Clapp, Marjorie Fairgrieve and Zella Stade were all in he overseas group.”

Hilda Staniforth (ID PH002322)

Staniforth, Hilda - RCAF (WD)

Sutton, Bea - RCN

Bea Sutton (ID PH002316)

T

Taylor, Edith

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Edith Taylor – RCAF.”
May/43, p.3 – (in a letter from Julia McGuffie) “When we arrived here the four of us from Powell River, Bette Parkin, Francis Haigh, Edith Taylor and myself all had our own ideas of sleeping in beds by each other. They changed all that. They sent us to bed in alphabetical order…”
Vol.21/1945/No.11-Nov. p.14- “The wedding of Cpl. Tom Nutchey, RCAF, and Edith M. Taylor RCAF (WD), on October 5 in Powell River, united…two school-day sweethearts. Tom and “Edie” haave been “walking out” together since they first studied the three R’s in school…An interesting spin of fortune’s wheel saw Corporal Frank O’Neil filling the role of best man-a role which Tom filled for Frank when he was married overseas last year…

Taylor, Lois

Jan/45, p.5 - (in a letter from Beppie Tomado) “Ran into three Powell River girls, Eileen Morrison, Eleanor Lawson and Lois Taylor in Victoria. Sure good to see some real girls.”

Joan Tomlinson (ID PH002313)

Tomlinson, Joan (PH002313)

Vol.19/1943/No.3-Mar. p.5 – “At the time of writing, the following Powell River girls are in uniform: RCAF (WD) (including)…Joan Tomlinson…”
May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Joan Tomlinson – RCAF.”
Vol.19/1943/No.9-Sep. p.13 – (re: the cover picture) “Right is Miss Joan Tomlinson…who in turn as a member of the RCAF releases yet another physically fit male for active service duties.”
Dec/44, p.2 - “Among the women members of the forces, Bertine Bryan (nee Bette Parkin), Brisbane Hunter and Joan Tomlinson have taken their tickets.”

Tomlinson, Patricia - CWAC

Patricia Tomlinson (ID PH002312)

W

Williams, Mrs. J. H.

May/43, p.2 - “As promised in our last issue, here is the list of Powell River girls now serving in the forces…(including)…Mrs. J.H. Williams – CWAC.”