The federal government recognized the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) as the voluntary organization to provide "auxiliary services" to the women of the Canadian armed forces in the same way as the Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus, Young Men's Christian Association, and the Canadian Legion had already been called upon to do for servicemen. In cities and near bases and stations throughout Canada, volunteer women rendered service to military women in YWCA canteens and overnight hostels. They also organized moving picture circuits and recreational activities. In Ottawa, the National Council of the YWCA offered "beauty culture" classes at their Women's Active Service Club.
Women also participated in the Red Shield, the war service organization of the Salvation Army, some eighty receiving Certficates of War Service for their efforts. In addition to providing 138 service centres, 15 hostess houses, and 11 overnight hostels in Canada and Newfoundland, the Red Shield ran mobile canteens for service personnel overseas such as the one shown here in Molly Lamb Bobak's painting The Tea Wagon. The Canadian Women's Army Corps personnel at this mobile Salvation Army tea wagon were on staff at Alderbrook Convalescent Hospital in London, England, in August 1945.
Courtesy: Canadian War Museum, National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada (S83-10)
