Worker EML Richards Women's Royal Air

[robbie]

Here's one for Jim. Why would this female WRAF's post be named "worker"?

WHat would she have likely "worked" at?

Ethel Maud Lillian Walker. CWGC has her occupation as "Member".

Robbie

[Jim Strawbridge]

Hello Robbie, I enclose what I have on Ethel Richards so far. You will see that she was in the WAAC later to become the QMAAC. Whilst there she would have been a Worker. She transferred across to the WRAF where she would have been a Member. It seems that the CWGC (or whoever submitted the list to them) has made a mistake.

Remarks on Ethel Maud Lilian Richards: Daughter of William Henry and Maria Richards of 14 Oakland Terrace, Tycock, Cwmbran, Monmouthshire. She enlisted at Cardiff on the 10th January 1918 as member 26309 Ethel Richards, WAAC and was prepared to work anywhere that was required. She was posted on the 7th February 1918 to the Artillery and Infantry Co-Operative School, Winchester as a waitress. She transferred across to the WRAF on their formation on the 1st April 1918. Died 2/10/18. She gave her sister Mrs E. Jones also of 14 Oaklands Terrace, Tycock, Cwmbran as her next of kin. CWGC. YMP4 and YH show as Ethel Richards.

[robbie]

Hello Robbie, I enclose what I have on Ethel Richards so far. You will see that she was in the WAAC later to become the QMAAC. Whilst there she would have been a Worker. She transferred across to the WRAF where she would have been a Member. It seems that the CWGC (or whoever submitted the list to them) has made a mistake.

Remarks on Ethel Maud Lilian Richards: Daughter of William Henry and Maria Richards of 14 Oakland Terrace, Tycock, Cwmbran, Monmouthshire. She enlisted at Cardiff on the 10th January 1918 as member 26309 Ethel Richards, WAAC and was prepared to work anywhere that was required. She was posted on the 7th February 1918 to the Artillery and Infantry Co-Operative School, Winchester as a waitress. She transferred across to the WRAF on their formation on the 1st April 1918. Died 2/10/18. She gave her sister Mrs E. Jones also of 14 Oaklands Terrace, Tycock, Cwmbran as her next of kin. CWGC. YMP4 and YH show as Ethel Richards.

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Interesting thanks Jim. What would her tasks be as a Member? Domestic?

Robbie

[Jim Strawbridge]

Interesting thanks Jim. What would her tasks be as a Member? Domestic?

Robbie

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Almost certainly domestic service. Same job, different uniform I would guess. When the RAF was formed (out of the Army and I believe the RNAS) they obviously preferred not to have army employees (which in effect the QMAAC would be). Hence the WRAF was formed and QMAAC workers already working on new RAF establishments drafted across.

[Terry Denham]

It seems that the CWGC (or whoever submitted the list to them) has made a mistake.

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CWGC amended Richards' rank to 'Member' this morning along with one other such error.

[robbie]

CWGC amended Richards' rank to 'Member' this morning along with one other such error.

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Quick work Terry. Was the other correction "Elson" instead of Elsom?

I'm searching for the thread...

Robbie

[Terry Denham]

No

The other two amended to 'Members' were BADCOCK and CONNOR in line with Jim's explanation above.

[robbie]

Found it atlast.

 

Robbie