- In 1941-42, the military was forever changed as it created its own women's forces.
Women were now able, for the first time in our history, to serve Canada in uniform.
- More than 50,000 women served in the armed forces during the Second World War.
- The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWACS) had 21,600 members.
- The Women's Division, Royal Canadian Air Force (WDs) had 17,400 members.
- The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (Wrens) had 7,100 members.
- Women in the services filled many positions, including mechanics, parachute riggers, wireless operators, clerks and photographers.
- 4,480 Nursing Sisters (as Canadian military nurses were known) served in the war - 3,656 in the Canadian Women's Army Corps, 481 in the Women's Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force and 343 in the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service.
Many of these women found themselves within range of enemy guns and some lost their lives.
For more information about Women at War during the Second World War, visit http: //www.veterans. gc.ca/eng/history/secondwar/fact_sheets/women.
- Statistics courtesy of Canadian Veterans Affairs
