It’s been 82 years since Banora Point centenarian Ruth Cowie joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) on 5 November 1942, in search of adventure.
What she discovered was two loves – one for service and the other for a tall stranger who would become her husband.
Ruth, who turned 100 in September, was 18 when she began her three-year defence career.
“When World War II was declared, I had no idea I would be involved,” she said. “I survived inoculations at Bradfield Park Sydney and I remember my mother came to see the passing out parade but because I’m not tall she said she felt so proud of a little hat somewhere in the middle of the squad!”
Recently celebrating her 100th birthday on 17th September, she is the last surviving WWII veteran born in the Shoalhaven region and has put her experiences down on paper in an unpublished manuscript by Robyn Florance, ‘Shoalhaven Women at War 1939 to 1945’.
“I remember we arrived by train at one in the morning in a field of grass, so I put my worldly goods onboard a truck and slept the remainder of the night on a table in the cookhouse,” Ruth recalled.
“I was to be a flight clerk in an office on the edge of the tarmac of 5 Service Flying Training Squadron and I was surrounded by males.”
After several postings, she took up what she says was her most fulfilling role in the Prisoner of War Section.
“We worked late into the night and were given one shilling and threepence dinner money. “When the Japanese prisoners were released, I was posted to the Army War Graves before being discharged in 1945.”
War was also to eventually reunite Ruth with Tom, the ‘tall, dark and handsome’ stranger she had first met at Nowra Aerodrome when she was 16.
“When I first met him, he was working for BHP sealing the air strip at Nowra aerodrome. “We met again when I had my call up and our paths would have crossed at Uranquinty when he went through on his pilot’s course, but I was posted the week previously.
“But the happy ending is that we met again in Luna Park Melbourne and married the following May 1946 before moving to Lismore.”
Remembrance Day for Ruth is about reflecting on her time in the WAAF and what that meant for Australia during World War II. She will be commemorating the day with fellow residents and veterans at Bolton Clarke’s Winders Lodge retirement village.
About Bolton Clarke
Bolton Clarke is Australia’s largest independent, not-for-profit aged care provider shaping the future of positive ageing. With RSL Queensland and the Royal District Nursing Service at the heart of our DNA, we have been caring for Australians since 1885. Today, our exceptional teams support more than 130,000 people to live independently at home and across our 43 retirement living communities and 88 residential aged care homes. Find out more at www.boltonclarke.com.au.
