VOLUNTEER AIR OBSERVERS CORPS
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WW2

Photo:- Vic Power of vpcoins

Via Joseph in Ohio

The observation units were principally manned by civilian volunteers. WAAAF general clerks were used as recorders in operations rooms in Volunteer Air Observers Corps regional Headquarters around Australia during WWII. RAAF personnel were in control of these operations roomds.

VAOC Control Room, associated with a central air sector near Melbourne.

The Volunteer Air Observers Corps was initially attached to the Directorate of Intelligence. By May 1942 the VAOC was controlled by the Directorate of Pursuit, Fighter Sector Headquarters, Allied Command.

VAOC Headquarters co-ordinated reports of aircraft and ship sightings which were then sent on to Fighter Sector Headquarters' which then co-ordinated this intelligence with that from the various Radar Units in their allotted area, before sending it on to Area Combined Headquarters.

When the observer spotted an aircraft they would note the direction, number of engines, height and attempt to identify the aircraft if possible. They would then ring the Telephone Exchange and ask for "Air Flash". The Operator would then, if necessary, disconnect current calls to put the call through to the VAOC centre. Each spotter had their own Code Name. The local school teacher in Miles in Queensland had the code name "Twenty Orange". He would ring through to the Charleville telephone exchange and start his call with the words "Air Flash".

Photo:- Ian Jenkins

Commandant, Chief Observer and Observer VAOC Badges

OP = There were many Observation Posts (OP) that were manned on a 24 hour basis.

ARO = Air Reporting Officers were purely voluntary positions, who made reports when aircraft sightings were noticed.

RP = Reporting Post - these were manned on a basis of 16 hours a day.

NOTE:- In an emergency period endeavours were made to man ARO's and RP's on a 24 hrs a day basis.

Joseph Henry Carter was a member of the Volunteer Air Observers Corps. He was the lighthouse keeper at Cape Cleveland near Townsville. It is quite possible that many lighthouse keepers around Australia during WW2 were VAOC members.

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Photo via Marianne Boot

Eileen Hilda Crandon moving an aircraft marker on the plotting board.
The marker on the map appears to be plotting a B-17 Flying Fortress off Evans Head.
The aircraft is probably just arriving in Australia after flying across the Pacific Ocean.

Certificate of Appreciation for Eileen Hilda Crandon from the
Chief of Air Staff for her 2 years service in the VAOC

Eileen Hilda Crandon was in Lismore during the war. Eileen used to plot the aircraft arriving in Australia. Eileen's cousin,  Dorothy Borrowdale, was also in the VAOC. The girls would go to Evans Head on weekends as part of the VAOC. They worked on a roster basis and plotted aircraft reportings along the east coast of Australia. Many of the farmers etc who phoned in had code numbers. They were the regulars, but other people phoned in reports as well. There was one Officer In Charge of their group.

The ladies also worked as part of the Girls' Patriotic Society running dances and generally entertaining the troops who came to the area. Marianne Boot remembers her mum telling her that she would either walk to the dances or ride her bike, which was no mean feat as her home was at the top of Dawson Street in Lismore, which is up quite a steep hill.

Kevan Streeter wants to know if the VAOC has an association in Western Australia? His mother has a certificate from the Chief of Air Staff for two years service to the Volunteer Air Observers Corps and would very much like to contact any current group or organisation which might bring her back together with others who served with her during the war. Please let me know if you can help Kevan.

Via:- Michelle NIcholson

Michelle Nicholson was given all the family history memorabilia
in about late 2006 including this VAOC badge (Badge No. 20579).
Michelle, would like to find out who the badge belonged to.

"ELSA" Aircraft Recognition Card

Joyce Graham, Chief Observer, Anglesea VAOC reports crash of
 a B-25 Mitchell bomber off Anglesea, Victoria on 1 Dec 44

Wonthaggi Volunteer Air Observers Corps
Schoolboy memories of Ken Langdon

BOOK REFERENCES

 "The WAAAF in Wartime Australia"
by Joyce Thomson

"Australia's Frontline - Remembering the 1939 - 45 War"
by Libby Connors, Lynette Finch, Kay Saunders and Helen Taylor

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I'd like to thank Bill Carter, son of Joseph H. Carter, for his assistance with this home page.

I'd also like to thank Ian Jenkins, Vic Power and Kevan Streeter for their assistance with this web page.

I'd also like to thank Marianne Boot, daughter of Eileen Hilda Crandon, for her assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 13 August 2002

This page last updated 11 March 2021