Women's National Emergency Legion
Encyclopedia
The Women's National Emergency Legion (WNEL) was an Australia
n female auxiliary
and training organisation of the World War II
-era that was based in Brisbane
. It was established in 1938 and provided volunteers with training in first aid and other skills which were seen as being relevant to Australia's war effort. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War
members of the organisation were attached to the US military units in Australia as transport drivers and clerks. They also undertook mine watching and other tasks.
chaired by Helen Ryan
, who continued as the organisation's leader during the war. At this meeting it was agreed that the WNEL would consist of a number of groups which would provide women with training in first aid
, truck driving and other fields. In March 1939 Ryan claimed that 1000 women were taking part in weekly training sessions run by the Legion. At this time the WNEL's first aid and home nursing unit had been divided into six sections and its transport unit was organised into several companies
. The WNEL was not part of the Australian military
, but cooperated with the Department of Defence
. In January 1939 the Sydney Morning Herald reported that only women of British ancestry were permitted to join the WNEL. At this time Dame Enid Lyons
was the patron of the Legion and its advisory committee included the Premier of Queensland, Forgan Smith
, and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Alfred James Jones
. The WNEL was also affiliated with the National Council of Women
. The Legion adopted a system of military rank
s under which new recruits were designated privates, members in charge of a training function were lieutenants and the woman in charge of a branch had the title of 'commandant'. From January 1939 the WNEL included an air wing which provided training in aircraft maintenance at Archerfield Aerodrome
. This wing was led by Mary Bell
, who was among Australia's first female pilots as well as the first Australian woman to qualify as a ground engineer. During July, Bell and the other members of the air wing left the Legion as they believed that the organisation would not help them to meet their objective to serve as aircraft maintainers during wartime; on the 17th of the month they formed the Women's Air Training Corps (WATC), and elected Bell its commander.
By April 1940 the WNEL had 51 branches in rural areas of Queensland as well as a large branch in Brisbane. As at May that year, the Legion was organised into a first aid and home nursing auxiliary, a transport division (which included horse and mechanised transport units) a land workers' section, a communication unit, despatch riders, a cooking unit and the air wing section. By July 1940 there were six different organisations training women for war work in the Brisbane region. Ryan and the members of the other organisations rejected a proposal made by The Courier-Mail
that the six organisations be combined, however. At this time the WNEL had 4,000 members, of whom 1,600 were located in Brisbane, and included a transport section and an air unit. It also provided training in first aid, field cooking, physical fitness and radio communications. At about this time the WNEL also became affiliated with the British First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
. The WNEL and other war-related women's organisations prominently participated in the 1941 Brisbane Exhibition
. In late 1941 General Thomas Blamey
, the commander of the Australian Imperial Force
, stated that Australian women should prepare to work in the national economy rather than train to be dispatch riders or signalers. In response, Ryan argued that "The whole situation will be changed if the enemy attacks our shores. Then women would have to be utilised in many more ways than seems likely at present. So we'll go on training".
Some members of the WNEL took a more active role in the war following the outbreak of the Pacific War
. From March 1942 WNEL volunteers watched for naval mine
s in the Brisbane River
under the command of the Royal Australian Navy
. Members of the Legion also participated in the Volunteer Air Observers Corps
. By 1943 the WNEL included a Motor Transport Corps and clerical staff assigned to help United States military
units in Australia. Women who volunteered for these roles could choose to not be posted outside of their home area. At this time the WNEL's headquarters was located in Adelaide Street, Brisbane
. The WNEL was active as late as October 1947.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n female auxiliary
Auxiliaries
An auxiliary force is a group affiliated with, but not part of, a military or police organization. In some cases, auxiliaries are armed forces operating in the same manner as regular soldiers...
and training organisation of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era that was based in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. It was established in 1938 and provided volunteers with training in first aid and other skills which were seen as being relevant to Australia's war effort. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
members of the organisation were attached to the US military units in Australia as transport drivers and clerks. They also undertook mine watching and other tasks.
History
The WNEL was formed in September 1938 at a meeting in BrisbaneBrisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
chaired by Helen Ryan
Helen Ryan
Helen Ryan is a British actress.Roles include Queen Alexandra in Edward the Seventh.- External links :...
, who continued as the organisation's leader during the war. At this meeting it was agreed that the WNEL would consist of a number of groups which would provide women with training in first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
, truck driving and other fields. In March 1939 Ryan claimed that 1000 women were taking part in weekly training sessions run by the Legion. At this time the WNEL's first aid and home nursing unit had been divided into six sections and its transport unit was organised into several companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
. The WNEL was not part of the Australian military
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
, but cooperated with the Department of Defence
Department of Defence (Australia)
The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...
. In January 1939 the Sydney Morning Herald reported that only women of British ancestry were permitted to join the WNEL. At this time Dame Enid Lyons
Enid Lyons
Dame Enid Muriel Lyons, AD, GBE was an Australian politician and the first woman to be elected to the Australian House of Representatives as well as the first woman appointed to the federal Cabinet...
was the patron of the Legion and its advisory committee included the Premier of Queensland, Forgan Smith
William Forgan Smith
William Forgan Smith , generally known as Forgan Smith, was Premier of the Australian state of Queensland from 1932 to 1942. He came to dominate politics in the state during the 1930s, and his populism, firm leadership, defence of states' rights and interest in state development make him something...
, and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Alfred James Jones
Alfred James Jones
He was born at Gayndah, Queensland in 1871, and after a basic education became a stockman and miner. He spent a short time teaching, was a Cobb & Co driver and spent six years mining. He married Martha Elizabeth Leggett in Gayndah in 1895....
. The WNEL was also affiliated with the National Council of Women
National Council of Women of Australia
The National Council of Women of Australia is an Australian organisation founded in 1931. The council is an umbrella organisation with which are affiliated seven State and Territory National Councils of Women...
. The Legion adopted a system of military rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
s under which new recruits were designated privates, members in charge of a training function were lieutenants and the woman in charge of a branch had the title of 'commandant'. From January 1939 the WNEL included an air wing which provided training in aircraft maintenance at Archerfield Aerodrome
Archerfield Airport
Archerfield Airport is a small airport located 7 1/2 miles at Archerfield in the south west of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For some time it was the primary airport in Brisbane. During World War II it was used as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Airport traffic peaked in the 1980s...
. This wing was led by Mary Bell
Mary Bell (aviator)
Mary Teston Luis Bell was an Australian aviator and founding leader of the Women's Air Training Corps , a volunteer organisation that provided support to the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II...
, who was among Australia's first female pilots as well as the first Australian woman to qualify as a ground engineer. During July, Bell and the other members of the air wing left the Legion as they believed that the organisation would not help them to meet their objective to serve as aircraft maintainers during wartime; on the 17th of the month they formed the Women's Air Training Corps (WATC), and elected Bell its commander.
By April 1940 the WNEL had 51 branches in rural areas of Queensland as well as a large branch in Brisbane. As at May that year, the Legion was organised into a first aid and home nursing auxiliary, a transport division (which included horse and mechanised transport units) a land workers' section, a communication unit, despatch riders, a cooking unit and the air wing section. By July 1940 there were six different organisations training women for war work in the Brisbane region. Ryan and the members of the other organisations rejected a proposal made by The Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail
The Courier-Mail is a daily newspaper published in Brisbane, Australia. Owned by News Limited, it is published daily from Monday to Saturday in tabloid format. Its editorial offices are located at Bowen Hills, in Brisbane's inner northern suburbs, and it is printed at Murarrie, in Brisbane's...
that the six organisations be combined, however. At this time the WNEL had 4,000 members, of whom 1,600 were located in Brisbane, and included a transport section and an air unit. It also provided training in first aid, field cooking, physical fitness and radio communications. At about this time the WNEL also became affiliated with the British First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
First Aid Nursing Yeomanry
The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry is a British independent all-female unit and registered charity affiliated to, but not part of, the Territorial Army, formed in 1907 and active in both nursing and intelligence work during the World Wars.-Formation:It was formed as the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in...
. The WNEL and other war-related women's organisations prominently participated in the 1941 Brisbane Exhibition
Ekka
The Ekka is the annual agricultural show of Queensland, Australia. Its formal title is the Royal Queensland Show. It was originally called the Brisbane Exhibition, however it is usually shortened to Ekka.-History:...
. In late 1941 General Thomas Blamey
Thomas Blamey
Field Marshal Sir Thomas Albert Blamey GBE, KCB, CMG, DSO, ED was an Australian general of the First and Second World Wars, and the only Australian to date to attain the rank of field marshal....
, the commander of the Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
, stated that Australian women should prepare to work in the national economy rather than train to be dispatch riders or signalers. In response, Ryan argued that "The whole situation will be changed if the enemy attacks our shores. Then women would have to be utilised in many more ways than seems likely at present. So we'll go on training".
Some members of the WNEL took a more active role in the war following the outbreak of the Pacific War
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
. From March 1942 WNEL volunteers watched for naval mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
s in the Brisbane River
Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
under the command of the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
. Members of the Legion also participated in the Volunteer Air Observers Corps
Volunteer Air Observers Corps (Australia)
The Volunteer Air Observers Corps was an Australian air defence organisation of World War II. The VAOC was formed on 31 December 1941 to support the Royal Australian Air Force by sighting and observing aircraft over Australia. The VAOC swiftly established observation posts across Australia and...
. By 1943 the WNEL included a Motor Transport Corps and clerical staff assigned to help United States military
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
units in Australia. Women who volunteered for these roles could choose to not be posted outside of their home area. At this time the WNEL's headquarters was located in Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Adelaide Street, which is a major thoroughfare in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, runs parallel to Queen Street and Ann Street.Notable buildings and parks along Adelaide Street include Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, ANZAC Square with the Shrine of Remembrance , ANZAC Square Arcade, Law...
. The WNEL was active as late as October 1947.