Images unveiled showcasing women's significant contribution to war photography.
Spotlighting Pioneering Women: Wartime Photography at Pinewood Studios
Celebrating the groundbreaking role of women during war times, Historic England showcases an intriguing compilation of photos at the 80th anniversary of VE Day, revealing how women played a pivotal part in wartime photography.
While known for the 'James Bond' and 'Carry On' franchises, WWII saw Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire serving as RAF Iver Heath, housing the RAF Film Production Unit (RAFFPU) and the Army Film and Photographic Unit (AFPU). These teams created crucial newsreels and covered significant events, offering much-needed information to the public and fueling the war effort's momentum. Notable British talents, such as a young Richard Attenborough, were among these forces too. But one group may have been underappreciated - the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), whose contributions in photography and reconnaissance during WWII might have been overlooked.
This exceptional collection, comprising around 150 photographs, was pieced together by Dorothy 'Knicky' Chapman, one of the first WAAF trainees at the No.2 School of Photography in Blackpool. In dire need of skilled aerial reconnaissance photographers, WAAF training proved essential, staying abreast of advances in military air photography and intelligence-gathering. The collection displays women at work - processing film, setting up darkrooms - and at play, participating in sports or theater performances, offering a rare look into their wartime world about which little is known. Historic England hopes the collection's release will spur conversations, encouraging the public to share personal stories and memories of WAAF members who served in the RAFFPU or WAAF via [email protected] before May 25.
Though an art school alumnus, Chapman married her photography instructor and went on to work at the Science Museum, crafting microfiche. It's likely her WAAF peers left the field of photography behind, yet they were pioneers in military photography, says Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross. They played a critical role in shaping our national narrative, and their legacy remains an inspiration for future generations.
Reflecting on the history, David Conway, Pinewood Group's CEO, notes that they continue to pay tribute to the wartime film and photographic units at Pinewood with an annual Service of Remembrance.
Head on over to the Historic England website to explore the collection and pay homage to the unsung heroines of wartime photography!
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Annunciata ElwesBorn and raised in the wilds of Lancashire, Annunciata now resides in Hampshire with her husband, two daughters, and a pesky pug named Parsley. With roots in our platform, she's been part of the team for over a decade, earning the Property Magazine of the Year Award in 2022. Before her tenure with us, she wrote fiction for The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, held communications roles for our platform's publisher, and conducted historical research for a biographer. When not creating content for our platform, you can find Annunciata as a co-founder of a literary, art, and music festival or helping to curate contemporary art exhibits at TIN MAN ART, a gallery established in 2021 by her significant other, James Elwes.
- Engaging discussions about the remarkable contributions of women in health-and-wellness fields, particularly in wartime photography, can be initiated by sharing personal stories or memories of Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) members who served in the RAFFPU or WAAF.
- Apart from their significant role in wartime photography, Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) members were also pioneers in the field of science, specifically military air photography and intelligence-gathering.
