WINGS OVER CAMBRIDGE
CAMBRIDGE'S CONNECTIONS WITH THE WARTIME AIR FORCE

The Air Force Relations Committee

One of the lesser remembered organisations that supported the men and women of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and New Zealanders in the RAF, was the 'Air Force Relations'. Cambridge had its own branch of this organisation that was largely dominated by female members who had relatives in the Air Forces.

Before we get to the Cambridge branch, here is a little about the organisation on a national scale. Thanks to Matthew O'Sullivan of the RNZAF Museum at Wigram for assisting greatly with the following information.

The Air Force Relations

In a Government information brochure that is dated the 22nd of June 1941, the following description is stated:
"Air Force Relations are the accredited spending agents of the National Patriotic Fund Board, which allocates funds to provide comforts and amenities for Air Force personnel."

The brochure sets out the organisation's aims as "To make and give comforts to N.C.O.s and airmen in the R.N.Z.A.F. and to New Zealander members of the Royal Air Force. To despatch a case of comforts every month to the R.A.F. Comforts Committee, London."

It seems largely the aim was in fact for women to knit jerseys, scarves, gloves, scull caps, sea-boot stockings, balaclavas, socks and mittens to specially provided RNZAF and RAF patterns. The wool was supplied in the correct colours and grades, and the members would knit the items to be sent off to 'their' boys. These women were usually mothers, aunts, sisters and wives of airmen, and therefore the group must have also been a great way for these ladies with the common interest and same worries to mix socially, in good times and bad. Such a network must have been a wonderful comfort when a member received that terrible telegram. No doubt other good knitters were encourage to join too, even if they were not related to serving airmen.

In 1941 when that brochure was distributed the Air Force Relations must ave already been rather established nationwide, though it hadn't yet reached Cambridge. The overall Headquarters was at 1 Aitken Street, Wellington (telephone 43-845), and the committee was thus:

Patroness - Her Excellency Lady Olive Newell (wife of Governor General Sir Cyril Newall, RNZAF)
Dominion President - Mrs R.V. Goddard
Dominion Hon. Secretary - Miss Constance Morice
Asst. Hon. Secretary - Mrs P. Tozer
Vice-Chairwoman - Mrs A. de T. Nevill
Committee Members
Mrs T. A. Barrow (the wife of the Air Secretery, Mr T.A. Barrow)
Mme. Andre Pouquet
Mrs W. Young
Mrs S. Gilkison
Mrs M.O. Barnett
Mrs J.A. Doctor (representing the Victoria League)
Mrs T. A. Hislop (representing the Wellington Aero Club)
Mrs F. Hewlett
Mrs H. B. Burrell
Mrs E.R. Jones
Mrs R. C. Kean
Mrs S. Wallingford

Already by June 1941 there were active branches at the following RNZAF Stations:
Wigram (Headquarters at McKenzie Building, High Street, Christchurch)
Harewood (Headquarters at McKenzie Building, High Street, Christchurch)
Hobsonville
Levin
Nelson
New Plymouth
Ohakea
Rongotai
Rotorua
Taieri
Tauranga
Whenuapai
Woodbourne

Also there were branches active in the following places by June 1941
Dannevirke
Hastings Aero Club
Invercargill
Masterton Aero Club
Napier
Waipawa
Waipukurau
Wanganui
Westport Aero Club

In Chapter 21 of 'The Home Front' Volume II by Nancy Taylor she notes "In three years, Air Force Relations alone knitted more than 24,000lb of wool into 85,000 garments." These figures came from Evening Post newspaper issue from the 31st of October 1942, which also indicates the AFR was in operation since as early as 1940, maybe even late 1939. So the Air Force Relations really was a good way for the Government to get enthusiastic free labour, whilst making the women at home feel they are doing their bit for their relatives abroad.

 

Cambridge's Air Force Relations Committee

So far in my research it has been difficult to determine the exact date when the local committee of the AFR was set up in Cambridge, but it seems to have been some time in July 1943. This is not easily established because the volume of Waikato Independent newspapers for 1943 are sadly lost. However their first annual meeting was in July 1944, so this must have marked a year of operations for the new group.

One imagines that prior to this time efforts were probably directed towards the more general Patriotic Committee rather than this specific Air Force group.

Members known to belong to the Cambridge Air Force Relations included:

Lillian Adelaide Hanna Margerite Rose Broad Mrs R.W. Hulme Mrs A.L. Lewis Mrs H. Parry Ivy Juanita Law A.B. Taylor Mrs Mable Wells R. W. Bowen Mrs Mary Eleanor Banks Mrs Eos Enid Taylor Mrs Lenna Garland Mrs Kathleen Mary Richardson G. Bell Mrs C. Kelly Kate Florence Peake

wife of Robert Stanley Hanna, mother of John Peter Hanna ? The wife of Mr E.G. Broad        wife of Albert John Law, mother to Ken, Don and Eric Law was this Don Taylor's sister? wife of Mervyn Wells, mother of Edward Preston 'Bill' Wells   wife of Joe Banks, mother of WAAF Susan Banks mother of Don Taylor wife of Benjamin Garland, mother of WAAF Claire Garland wife of Arthur Richardson, mother of John and Ted Richardson maybe the mother, wife or sister of M.D. Bell maybe Katherine Jessie Kelly, mother of Clarence Lloyd Kelly wife of John William Peake, and mother of Bob Peake

 

Several notices about the Air Force Relations committee appear in 1944 newspapers, and are as follows.

Waikato Independent, 17th of January 1944 KNITTED COMFORTS NEW ZEALAND FORCES NEXT YEAR'S NEEDS A National patriotic Fund Board statement dealing with knitted woolen comforts for the New Zealand Forces pays a tribute to the women and girls in this important sphere of patriotic activities. Returns for the 12 months ended September 30 last are not yet complete, but from the outbreak of war to the end of September, 1942, New Zealand women knitted over 1,000,000 garments for the patriotic organisation. Mainly because these woollen garments are issued through the Services or held in reserve to meet war emergencies, the results of this work by women all over New Zealand do not come prominently before the public. This is acknowledged in the report, and also the fact that the knitters are making a most valuable contribution to the patriotic war effort. "The appreciation of our men," the report adds, "is their only reward." At present the Board reports, stocks in khaki woolens are good, and stocks of Navy and Air Force woolens are very low. Because of the considerable expansion that has taken place in the Air Force, assistance is particularly needed from khaki knitters to cope with the Air Force requirements. The Air Department has approved of the Board's proposal that Air Force sleeveless pullovers, gloves and hussifs be made a Service issue, instead of being a patriotic issue, and this has eased the position to some extent. Nevertheless, thousands of Air Force comforts will still be required, and to help meet the position before next winter the patriotic councils are being asked to transfer the khaki knitters to Air Force knitting. The New Zealand Navy League War Council will also require extra assistance to have sufficient supplies to cope with the demand. Over 20 Tons of Wool It is estimated that 45,300lb, or over 20 tons of wool will be required to make knitted comforts for the Army, Navy and Air Force personnel next year, the total being made up as follows: Navy Wool, 16,000lb., Khaki 6,300lb., and Air Force blue 23,000lb. the estimated cost is £23,000, of which £7,000 will be recoverable. On account of the reorganisation, it is proposed that the whole of the cost of the knitting wool be debited against the Patriotic Board, the provincial councils to be responsible for the knitting as before. Stocks of khaki woolens held in the Middle East were sufficient for two issues of balaclavas, scarves and mittens for each New Zealander there. Since then it has been announced that New Zealanders are in Italy, and it is therefore possible that at a later date further supplies will be required from New Zealand and some reorganisation of knitting plans may be necessary. In the meantime, assistance is required from khaki knitters to make Air Force and Navy comforts.

Note - To explain the word 'hussif' above, it was a special sewing kit issued in the RNZAF and RAF to airmen. It consisted of wallet containing needles, thread, buttons, pins, etc., It was actually spelt as Housewife, but was pronounced (and sometimes spelt) hussif. The Royal Navy also issued Housewives or hussifs.

Waikato Independent, 3rd of May 1944 AIR FORCE RELATIONS COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING Mrs R.S Hanna presided at the monthly meeting of the Cambridge branch of Air Force Relations held in the Lyceum Club rooms recently. Others present were Mesdames E.G. Broad, R.W. Hulme, A.L. Lewis, Parry, A.J. Law and A.B. Taylor. Mrs A.L. Lewis, who together with Mesdames Law and M. Wells, attended a morning tea party in Hamilton recently, in honour of Mrs L.M. Isitt, and Miss Morice, of headquarters, Wellington, gave the committee and interesting report as follows: "There were about 20 delegates from district branches of Air Force Relations present to meet the guests of honour, and an interesting and profitable morning was spent. Miss Morice, who is an expert in the art of knitting, answered many questions on knitting for the Air Force. In answer to a question as to whether personnel in the Fleet Air Arm came under the care of Air Force Relations, Miss Morice explained that although they were fliers, they came under the heading 'Navy' and received their issue. Further questions were asked regarding the replacing of used pullovers, and it was explained that on showing the worn pullover, that a new one would be issued. In England these replacements were made at the N.Z. War Services Depot, through the High Commissioners Office. Mrs Isitt stressed the urgent need of more hand-knitted pullovers. As they were in such demand, 20,000 had been ordered from a factory. However the hand-knitted garments were more durable, and the hope was expressed that committees would get busy and enrol more knitters. It was also explained that Air Force relations committees were part and parcel of the National Patriotic Funds Board, and were directly controlled by them." It was decided to advertise in the "Independent to this effect and asking for knitters also to send circular letters to tardy knitters.

Note to above: Mrs L.M. Isitt was the wife of Air Vice Marshall Sir Leonard Isitt of the RNZAF

 

Waikato Independent, 3rd of July 1944 AIR FORCE RELATIONS CAMBRIDGE BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING Mrs R.S Hanna presided at the first annual meeting of the Cambridge Air Force Relations committee held in the Lyceum Club rooms on friday last. The secretary's report was submitted and showed that during the past year the following garments had been knitted: 87 pullovers, 19 pairs mittens, 3 scarves, 14 bombers stockings, 3 pairs gloves, 10 pairs mittens made from old socks. Thanks were due to Mesdames R. Muir and M. Halford for services rendered to the committee in handling the wool, and knitted garments at the Patriotic depot. Officers Elected The election of officers was as follows: President - Mrs R.S. Hanna (re-elected) Vice-President - Mrs A. L. Lewis Hon. Secretary - Mrs R. W. Bowen Delegates to Hamilton - Mesdames R.S. Hanna, M. Wells, J. Banks and E.E. Taylor Committee - Mesdames B.N. Garland, R.W. Hulme, A.J. Law, A. Richardson, H. Parry, G. Bell, E.G. Broad, C. Kelly, J.W. Peake, E.E. Taylor, A.B. Taylor, J. Banks and M. Wells. A written report was read from the Hamilton branch and Mrs E.E. Taylor gave a verbal report on their annual meeting which was held on Thursday. A tribute was paid to the retiring secretary, Mrs A.B. Taylor, for her services given to the Air Force Relations, and regret was expressed that she could no longer find the time necessary to carry on. A welcome was also extended to the new secretary, Mrs Bowen. It was decided to send flowers and magazines each month to the Air Force hospital in Hamilton. It was also decided to hold committee meetings on the third Friday in each second month.

 

Waikato Independent, Wednesday the 23rd of August 1944 AIR FORCE RELATIONS CAMBRIDGE BRANCH BI-MONTHLY MEETING A meeting of the committee of Air Force Relations was held in the Lyceum Club on friday last. In the absence of Mrs R.S. Hanna, the vice-president, Mrs A.L. Lewis, presided. A vote of sympathy to Mrs Hanna in her recent bereavement was passed and the committee stood in silence as a mark of respect. Extracts from Bulletin No. 25 of the National Patriotic Fund Board were read dealing with the allocation of finance by the board; particularly in relation to the Air Force. Proceeds from a competition were received and the committee is now financially independent. A banking account is to be opened in the name of the committee.

 

Waikato Independent, 22nd of September 1944 STILL NEEDED WOOLENS FOR AIR FORCE A note to the hon. secretary of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council (Mr Ward) from Miss Constance Morice, Dominion hon. secretary of Air Force Relations, states that woolen garments for airmen will still be needed in large numbers. "There are people asking," Miss Morice wrote, "if it is necessary to continue knitting Air Force wool now that no more Air Force men will be going to Canada, and I would be grateful if you would advise your various groups that knitted garments are still necessary. We must continue sending them to England for the men who will soon be facing another winter. Even when the war in Europe is over numbers of these men will have to remain in England for some time, and perhaps as an Air Force of occupation till peace is signed." Air Force relations, stated Miss Morice, had received a cable from England asking for long-sleeved polo-necked and v-necked pullovers, socks and gloves - as many as could be sent; sleeveless pullovers were also wanted; but large stocks of Cranwell jerseys were held, so the knitting of those could be stopped for the present; scarves and mittens were also in good supply.

 

Waikato Independent, 25th of October 1944 AIR FORCE RELATIONS BI-MONTHLY MEETING Mrs L. Hanna presided at the bi-monthly meeting of the Cambridge branch of Air Force Relations held in the Lyceum Club's rooms on Friday Afternoon. Others present were Mesdames R. Hulme, C. Kelly, E. Broad, A.L. Lewis, B.N. Garland, J.W. Peake, A.B. Taylor and R.W. Bowen. Air Force Hospital The president reported that one parcel of magazines and flowers had been taken over to the Air Force hospital at Hamilton and that more books, papers, etc., were urgently needed. Both the W.A.A.F.s and airmen were using the hospital, so that books and magazines suitable for either section, would be appreciated.

Air Force Relations - In Conclusion

In the September 1945 issue of Contact, the National Magazine of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, an article entitled "Thank You, Miss Morice!" appeared. In this the magazine reminds readers that it is not only the men they need to thank for winning the war, but also the ladies who contributed so strongly to the war effort. The article goes on to state:

"We have in our mind the ranks of the "behind the scenes" workers the members of the organisation aptly known as Air Force Relations. They are spread from one end of the Dominion to the other, and they have worked in groups and singly in their own homes since October, 1939.

The provision of comforts for airmen and airwomen has been their self-imposed duty. Scarves, pull-overs, balaclavas, gloves, hussifs - since a few weeks after the outbreak of war home-made woollen articles have arrived in a steady stream at Air Force Relations headquarters, there to be sorted and sent on to serving personnel at home and in all the theatres of war.

The story can be summarised in the simple statement that these voluntary and unsung workers made more than 274,000 comforts for the R.N.Z.A.F. Their scarves, pull-overs, gloves have gone on duty all over the world and thousands of men have had reason to think gratefully of the people who adopted this as part of their war effort.

The hundreds of members of Air Force Relations work for a common pool, and their output is handled through local branches by the headquarters team at Wellington. The undertaking, the first to be authorised under the National Patriotic Fund Board, began operations on October 19, 1939, and its work was immediately geared to a steady speed.

Mrs. H.W.L. Saunders, wife of the then Chief of Air Staff (now Air Marshall Sir H.W.L. Saunders, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.F.C., M.C.) was chairwoman until she returned to England with her husband in December 1941. She was succeeded by Mrs. R.V. Goddard, wife of the new C.A.S. (Now Air Marshall R.V. Goddard C.B., C.B.E.), and Mrs L.M. Isitt, wife of the present C.A.S. (Air Vice-Marshall L.M. Isitt C.B.E.) became the third chairwoman in August 1943. She still holds that office.

Miss Constance Morice, the present honorary secretary, was appointed in 1939, and it is due largely to her great enthusiasm, organising ability and unfailing good humour that Air Force Relations has maintained its output of comforts and the collection of patriotic funds with such success."

Today the ladies of Air Force Relations have been all but forgotten. They contributed greatly to the RNZAF's war effort, and it must be remembered that while knitting for the Air Force, almost all of them were also contributing in multiples of other ways too, through such methods as fund drives, many were probably in the WVS and the Country Women's Institutes who also contributed to the war effort. They no doubt took part in other Patriotic Committee efforts, and also many were holding down the shops, businesses and farms left behind by husbands, sons and brothers who'd gone off to join the RNZAF. Lets hope this webpage helps to keep their memory alive.

 

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