Victoria West in Esquimalt in Capital Region, British Columbia — Canada’s West Coast (North America)

The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC)

Le Corps Féminin de l'Armée Canadienne (CFAC)

Photographed by Andrew Lester, September 25, 2013

1. The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) Marker

Inscription. Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC) Women's service in the military during the Second World War challenged the tradition of all-male armed forces. Between 1941 and 1946, close to 22,000 volunteers enlisted in the CWAC and were posted to bases at home and abroad. Working in such unconventional settings transformed their life and ambitions. Joan Kennedy, later its commander, opened the first CWAC office on the Esquimalt base on 29 August 1941. The Corps contributed to Allied victory, paved the way for future generations of Canadian service women and raised questions about the equality of women in the civilian world.

Corps auxiliaire féminin de l'aviation Canadienne Le service militaire des femmes pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale a défié la tradition des forces armées jusqu'alors essentiellement masculines. Entre 1941 et 1946, près de 17 000 femmes s'enrôlèrent dans l'Aviation royale et investirent 65 métiers non reliés au combat, ici à Calgary, ailleurs au Canada et à l'étranger. Leur travail et leur succès dans ces secteurs allaient transformer leurs vies et leurs ambitions, tout en contribuant remarquablement autant

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à la victoire des Alliés qu'à l'avancement de la cause des femmes dans la vie militaire et civile.

Erected 1999 by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 48° 26.181′ N, 123° 25.289′ W. Marker is in Esquimalt, British Columbia, in Capital Region. It is in Victoria West. It can be reached from Belim Street. Marker is near the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Esquimalt BC V9A 6N7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Esquimalt Naval Sites (within shouting distance of this marker); Craigflower Manor

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(approx. 1.8 kilometers away); The Lightkeeper's Boat / L'embarcation du gardien de phare (approx. 2 kilometers away); Fisgard Lighthouse (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Naval Defence: Yesterday and Today (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Get Your Bearings / S'Orienter (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Wisdom on the Water / Prudence en Mer (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Fisgard Lighthouse / Phare de Fisgard (approx. 2.1 kilometers away).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2013, by Andrew Lester of Victoria, BC, Canada. This page has been viewed 635 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photo 1. submitted on December 21, 2013, by Andrew Lester of Victoria, BC, Canada. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.