British MkII Helmet – Annie Soulsby “Women’s Auxiliary Air Force”

This is an original WWII British MkII helmet. This helmet is named to Annie Soulsby, service number 2092257, she enlisted the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1941. The helmet is in untouched condition. It comes complete with its original liner and chinstrap. The liner remains in good, used condition, maker-marked “N’Ltd” and dated 1940. Even the chinstrap is stamped with a maker’s mark and date of 1941.

The WAAF was not an independent organisation nor was it completely integrated within the RAF. Barrage balloon crew under inspection, November 1943Rather it was interlinked with its ‘parent’ force for the purpose of substituting, where possible, women for RAF personnel.

It was mobilised on 28 August 1939 and within the year tens of thousands of women had volunteered to serve. In 1941 the WAAF became part of the Armed Forces of the Crown, subject to the Air Force Act. This was greeted with pride and enthusiasm by its members.

With conscription for women introduced from December 1941, the ranks swelled further so that by July 1943 a peak strength of 182,000 had been reached.

By 1945 a quarter of a million women had served in the WAAF in over 110 different trades, Certificate of Enrolmentsupporting operations around the world. They were an integral and vital part of the Royal Air Force’s war effort.