Women’s Army Corps celebrates golden jubilee
Last weekend marked 50 years since women were allowed to join the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Initially, women were integrated into the GDF on January 30, 1967, to function as a reserve unit.
The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) of the GDF was formed primarily to confront the problems of there being insufficient men to defend the Venezuela seizure of Ankoko Island in the Corentyne River on October 1966. It was the first women’s corps to be established among the Anglophone Caribbean States. Based on research, in that year of Guyana’s independence, the GDF had only just established its first battalion of fewer than 500 men, when it was forced to deploy troops to Eteringbang to confront Venezuela’s aggression. The army then resorted to recruiting women. Captain Joan Granger and Officer Cadets Brenda Aaron, Clarissa Hookumchand and Hyacinth King-of the first company of Women’s Volunteer Corps, underwent a special one week orientation course at Atkinson Field subsequently renamed the GDF Training Wing, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara. They were then joined by 56 other women taken in as recruits on February 6, 1967 (the WAC formation day) and underwent five weeks of training in drill, field craft, skill-at-arms, shooting, physical fitness at Atkinson Field.
They were formally inducted into the GDF at a parade on March 12, 1967 and were allowed to work in departments where their skills were required. Some of the female soldiers were given attachments and on the job training. Others were trained at the British Army Public Relations Department, the Army School of Catering and at the Women’s Royal Army Corps, all in the United Kingdom (UK). To commemorate this milestone, GDF has planned several activities, commencing today, with a thanksgiving service at the National Cultural Centre. First Lady, Sandra Granger will deliver the feature address. The following day the WAC fiftieth anniversary medal presentation parade will be held at the Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna.
(Kaieteurnews.com)