| rdfs:comment | - The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) was authorized on August 13, 1941, in response to a shortage of personnel caused by the increase in the size of Canada's navy, army and air force. At first the organization was called the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Corps and was not an official part of the armed forces. On March 13, 1942, the women were inducted into the Canadian Army and became the Canadian Women's Army Corps. They wore a cap badge of three maple leaves, and collar badges of the goddess Athena.
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| abstract | - The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) was authorized on August 13, 1941, in response to a shortage of personnel caused by the increase in the size of Canada's navy, army and air force. At first the organization was called the Canadian Women's Auxiliary Corps and was not an official part of the armed forces. On March 13, 1942, the women were inducted into the Canadian Army and became the Canadian Women's Army Corps. They wore a cap badge of three maple leaves, and collar badges of the goddess Athena. A February 1943 CWAC advertisement in the Edmonton Journal noted that prospective recruits had to be in excellent health, at least tall and (or within above or below the standard of weight laid down in medical tables for different heights), with no dependants, a minimum of Grade 8 education, aged 18 to 45, and a British subject, as Canadians were at that time. Since women were not allowed to enter in combat of any kind the CWACs worked as secretaries, clerks, canteen workers, vehicle drivers and many other non-combat military jobs. They were only paid two-thirds of what the men were paid in the same occupation (this figure later became four-fifths). CWACs served overseas, first in 1942 in Washington, DC, and then with the Canadian Army in the United Kingdom. In 1944 CWACs served in Italy and in 1945 in north-west Europe, usually as clerks in headquarters establishments. After VE Day, more served with Canadian occupation forces in Germany. In all, approximately 3000 served Canada overseas. While no members of the CWAC were killed due to enemy action, four were wounded in a German V-2 missile attack on Antwerp in 1945. "The CWAC was the largest force with 22,000 members, followed by the Air Force Women's Division with 17,000 and the WRCNS with just under 7,000." In August 1946 the CWACs were disbanded. The Canadian Women's Army Corps was redesignated The Canadian Women's Army Corps on 22 Mar 1948. The Canadian Women's Army Corps reverted to the Canadian Women's Army Corps on 18 Apr 1955. The CWACS were disbanded for good in 1964. "Canadian Women’s Army Corps" (2000) by André Gauthier (sculptor) is a 6’4” high bronze statue in front of the Kitchener Armoury in Kitchener, Ontario.
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