"We Serve That Men May Fly": No. 4 Squadron, R.C.A.F. (Women's Division), No. 6 Manning Depot, Toronto - March 18, 1942 ; [A Rare Early Photograph of One of the Earliest Graduating Classes of the R.C.A.F. (Women's Division)]

Original silver gelatin photograph, long panoramic format, measuring 17" x 7". Bears a detailed, white inscription along the bottom identifying the unit and its command. The caption reads: "No. 4 SQUADRON. FROM FEB. 21ST TO MARCH 18TH 1942. NO. 6 M. DEPOT. TORONTO, MARCH 18th, 1942." It proceeds to list the N.C.O.s and Officers of the squadron, including: "Cpl. UGLOW," "CPL. GRINKE," "CPL. HUNTER," "A/S/O. GODDARD," "A/S/O/, MACDONALDE," "S/O. COLLIER," "A/S/O. CAMERON," "Sgt. RITCHIE," "CPL. LONG," and "CPL. MILLIGAN." An exceptional and historically important photograph documenting one of the very first cohorts of women to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) during the Second World War. The unit is definitively identified as the R.C.A.F. (Women's Division) by the unique rank structure detailed in the caption. The ranks "A/S/O." (Acting Section Officer) and "S/O." (Section Officer) were officer designations used exclusively by the R.C.A.F. (WD) and were not present in the Army (CWAC) or Naval (WRENS) services. The unit pictured, No. 6 Manning Depot ("No. 6 M. Depot") in Toronto, served as the primary basic training centre for all R.C.A.F. (Women's Division) recruits in Eastern Canada. The "WDs," as they were colloquially known, were officially authorized in July 1941, and No. 6 Manning Depot itself opened in October 1941. This March 1942 graduating class, therefore, represents perhaps the absolute vanguard of the service - true pioneers who were among the first women in Canadian history to go through military basic training. The panoramic image captures the new recruits of No. 4 Squadron and their leadership upon completion of their intensive, four-week basic training course (running "From Feb. 21st to March 18th"). Following graduation, the women would have been posted to air bases and training schools across the country, serving in dozens of trades and fulfilling the service's famous slogan: "We Serve That Men May Fly." A powerful visual record of the massive mobilization of Canadian women into the armed forces, taken at the very beginning of that movement. The photograph retains excellent detail and strong contrast showing some edgewear, creasing, and surface emulsion cracks, particularly to the right and left margins, although the primary image content of the women remains clear and strong. A significant and rare visual artifact of Canadian women's military history. Good+.…