Women’s Ambulance Corps
Many the Second World War, many women took part in a civil defence unit called the Women’s Ambulance Corps (WAC), serving across British Columbia, trained to become comprehensive nurses, firefighters and stretcher-bearers, and remained on active duty until the end of the war.
Members of the Women’s Ambulance Corps operated in Vancouver as a civil defence unit, often supported by the St. John Ambulance Brigade. These women trained in first aid and nursing, wearing para-military uniforms and parading to the Beatty Street Armoury. They were part of a broader mobilization where women moved into roles like ambulance driving to support the war effort.
(City of Vancouver Archives Photo, AM1545-S3-: CVA 586-2348)
Women’s Ambulance Corps, Vancouver, British Columbia Unit, March 1944.
(City of Vancouver Archives Photo, AM1545-S3-: CVA 586-2347)
Women’s Ambulance Corps, Vancouver Unit, March 1944.
(City of Vancouver Archives Photo, AM1545-S3-: CVA 586-2349)
Women’s Ambulance Corps, Vancouver Unit, March 1944.
(Chinese Canadian Women 1923-1967 Photo)
Chinese Canadian members of the Women’s Ambulance Corps enjoy a cup of coffee in Vancouver, British Columbia, c1944-1945.
(Chinese Canadian Military Museum Photo)
Peggy Wong in Women’s Ambulance Corps uniform, c1944-1945.
(University of British Columbia Library Photo)
Women’s Ambulance Corps (WAC) marching at Main Street and Hastings, Vancouver, BC, 1942.
(General Auto Sales Ltd. Photo)
1940 Ambulance class organized by General Auto Sales Ltd, and some of their mechanical staff who taught these local women to be ambulance drivers.
Top row, left to right: Vera Lewis, Phyllis Jones, Dolly Quinn, Mrs Filmer.
Second row: Mildred Madill, Mary Tait, Marion Jepson, Bud Edmonds, Gwen Davis, James Cowling, Parts Manager, General Auto Sales.
Third row: Jack Pinton, Parts Manager, G.M. Products, Vancouver, BC. Mrs O.D. Roberts, Mrs. Beevor-Potts, Mrs. McMaster, Mrs. Newbury, Alan Burdock, Service Manager, General Auto Sales Ltd., Dare Nixon, Ruth Leach, ?
Fourth Row: W.G. Hanna, Service Man, General Auto Sales Ltd. Kath Senini, Ethel Harris, Bernice Boothroyd, Alice Thompson, Pat Murphy, Isa Allen, Lorraine Squire, Bunty Martin, Florence Tallman, Mrs. Daniels, Jocelyn Daniels.
(Duncan Macphail Photo, BC Archives I-01019)
Women’s Ambulance Corps, Victoria. 1944.