“So often we forget the women left behind in New Zealand, while our men and women went to serve overseas,” said BJ Clark, president of Returned and Services Association.
“They were the ‘silent army' who kept the home fires burning.”
In 1944 at the peak of the New Zealand Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs) there were 4600 women serving in New Zealand and overseas when the population was about 1,600,000.
Most of the women who joined the Corps were stationed in camps throughout New Zealand, becoming full members after a six-week basic training programme.
But some 200 women travelled to the Middle East and became known as The Tuis, working as assistants and in hospitals.
After the success of her book Voices of World War II: New Zealanders share their stories, Hollis is working on a social history project focusing on the experiences of New Zealand women during World War 2, immersing herself in letters and diaries from women who served in New Zealand or overseas.
“I am looking for stories that have never been shared before that will give the reader a real insight into what women's lives were really like during World War II,” said Hollis.
Sources could include those who can recall childhood memories of wartime, mothers raising children while their husbands were fighting overseas, volunteers, land girls, women who worked in the factories as well as the Red Cross, the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAFs), the Women's Royal Naval Service (Wrens), etc.
She is also very interested to hear about the experiences of New Zealand women who served overseas as nurses, pilots, ambulance drivers or entertainers.
Letters and diaries can be submitted by June 19.
Hollis said she understands how precious these items are and will take great care of them.
After she has read the material, she will return all items via courier so please be sure to include a return address.
•
