"Join the Women's Army" Vintage WWII Australian Women's Army Service Poster by Ian McCowan

Presented is an original WWII Australian Women’s Army Service poster by Ian McCowan. This recruitment poster was printed in Australia by the famed Second Australian Army Survey Mobile Reproduction Section. Against a vibrant red background with yellow seven-pointed stars, the poster urges viewers to “Join the Womens Army” in bold block letters at top. An illustrated head and shoulders portrait of an Australian infantryman appears at lower left, opposite an empty desk and chair at lower right. The subtext "Take my chair- I'm wanted at the battlefront." is printed in black.  "A.W.A.S. Australian Womens Army Service" is printed in a yellow inset at lower right. 

The War Cabinet approved the establishment of the Australian Women’s Army Service on August 13, 1941 “to release men from certain military duties for employment in fighting units.” Lieutenant Colonel Sybil Howy Irving was appointed Controller in October 1941, and recruitment began in January 1942 with training schools set up across all states. Eligibility for entry required a satisfactory medical examination and X-ray, an age of 18 to 40 (with limited exceptions to age 50), commitment to full-time wartime service, completion of a security check through the Manpower Authority, and provision of character testimonials signed by a clergyman or municipal councillor.

AWAS members worked as drivers, provosts, canteen workers, cooks, typists, signallers, and cipher clerks, and some took on more specialized assignments such as Japanese translation, veterinary services, and anthropological liaison with Indigenous communities. Many searchlight stations were staffed entirely by AWAS personnel, who carried out their duties in all conditions, demonstrating capability and challenging prevailing gender assumptions.

More than 24,000 women ultimately served in the Australian Women’s Army Service, which became the only non-medical women’s service to serve overseas. In November 1944, the War Cabinet approved the deployment of AWAS members to New Guinea for signals and clerical work under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Margaret Spencer, resulting in 385 women serving there.

The Second Australian Army Survey Mobile Reproduction Section was  an Australian Army unit during the Second World War, primarily known for its lithography, map production work, and, most notably, as the printer of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender document in Borneo in 1945. A key part of the Royal Australian Survey Corps, the unit was responsible for topographical surveying in the field and the mobile printing of maps using lithographic presses. This work was vital for Allied operations in the Pacific arena, ensuring that troops were well-supplied with accurate maps.

CONDITION:

Near fine condition. Original color lithograph, printed in red, white, yellow, black, brown, and orange. Paper is very healthy Colors are vibrant, Full margins, with small creases from past folds, two small marginal tears, not affecting printed image. The poster is signed in stone by the artist at lower left. “Printed in Australia” and "Reproduced by Second Aust. Army Svy. Mob. Reprod. Sect." in the lower right poster margin. Sold unframed, as-is. 

Unframed Dimensions: 24"H x 19"W.