World War Two, Second World War, W.W.II
 
 
 
 
Whether overseas, or 'keeping the home fires burning', Canadian women were the unsung heroes of WWII. Each nation at war contributed its all; this included the women. They were not always given the option to go and fight, but there was much to be done, and they did it. The strength and bravery with which these women joined the war effort can not be lauded enough. During the Second World War, more than 45,000 Canadian women volunteered for military service. Every other woman volunteered in her own way. 
Kisses for the Edmonton Fusiliers
 
Servicewomen 

Women fought in the Women's Division of the RCAF, the Canadian Women's Army Corps and the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service. 
Great Britain began recruiting women to the services in 1938, but Canada did not. Only when the RAF "proposed to send members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, the WAAFs, to Canada to work at air training schools, [did] the Canadian government act to avoid embarrassment." "The Women's Division of the RCAF was authorised in July 1941, and quickly enlisted thousands of young women; 17,000 by 1945. In August, the Canadian Women's Army Corps was announced and training bases were established at St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec; Kitchener, Ontario; and Vermilion, Alberta. More than 21,000 served in the "CWACs." The "Wrens," or Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, did not begin recruiting until 1942, and grew more slowly. Training establishments at Galt, Ontario, and St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, enrolled 6,718 recruits. All the women who served were volunteers, and many sought to play an active role in the "real" war." (Copp: 63) 

 
 
 
 
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