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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 7, 2008 22:34:45 GMT 12
The Waafery (Women's Barracks) at RNZAF Wigram was named 'Frances Briars House', and I'd heard it was named after a wartime WAAF.
But who exactly was she, and why was she sugnificant enough to have such an honour as the barracks named after her?
I think I have heard she was the first WAAF to reach the rank of Warrant Officer, and I had also thought that she was the head of the WAAF in NZ, but that was apparently a Superintendant Frances Kain, not Briars. Was this the same lady, and one or other was a maiden/married name?
Does anyone know more about Frances Briars? What trade was she? Is she still alive? etc?
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Post by 30sqnatc on Jun 7, 2008 23:54:44 GMT 12
I've just checked 'The WAAF Book, a scrapbook of wartime memories' compiled by Bathia Mackenzie. Despite different spelling of her surname I suspect this may be her  Paul |
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Post by 30sqnatc on Jun 8, 2008 0:08:58 GMT 12
Darn, now you've side tracked me. Just scanning the book and I just learn't another piece of RNZAF history I never knew. The 1951 WAAFs referred to above was a forerunner of the current lateral recruiting where 100 British WAAF arrived in late 1950 then attended a refresher course at Woodbourne before posting.
Francis Bryers was the WAAF officer in charge of 'A' flight of the course. She taught the flight to sing 'Now is the hour' in Maori for a concert.
Paul
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 8, 2008 1:28:38 GMT 12
Thanks Paul. I thought I'd seen something written abot her but flicking through that book I must have missed it, cheers.
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Post by barrysgirl on Jan 18, 2018 16:56:06 GMT 12
David I have just joined this board and saw this post about Francis Bryers. I actually served under her in the WRNZAF in 1954 as an LACW at Hobsonville. I last saw her at a WAAF Reunion in Auckland in 1986 and do have a photo of the group with her in it, if you would like it.
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Post by barrysgirl on Jan 18, 2018 17:03:06 GMT 12
I am sure her name was spelt Frances. I do recall she was an extremely good Tennis player.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 18, 2018 20:58:17 GMT 12
Thanks, and welcome Barrysgirl. Photos are always welcome, so we'd love to see it please.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jan 18, 2018 22:25:02 GMT 12
From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 :
BRYERS, Warrant Officer (W) Catherine Frances, MBE.
W2140 & 70798; Born Rawene, 15 Jul 1917; RNZAF 8 Jun 1942 to 7 Jun 1962; Clerk (Pay Accounts).
Citation Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (NY1961): Not available. The record notes that W/O Bryers’ exemplary conduct, ability, loyalty and personality made her an asset in every respect. As an accounts clerk she always maintained the highest standards of accuracy and efficiency. In addition she was a competent organiser and supervisor in her work and as a sport administrator especially in tennis and badminton, while in her earlier days she was a competitor in Inter-Service Tennis and Swimming championships. Member RNZAF Contingent London Victory Parade 8 Jun 1946. Her outstanding service to the RNZAF was recognised by the award of the MBE. Died Auckland, 18 Nov 1989.
Errol
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