Sybil Howy Irving was an Australian military officer who was the founder and controller of the Australian Women's Army Service during World War II. She served in this position from 1941 to 1946, and was active in charity and social organisations until she was aged 74.
1943 portrait by war artist Nora Heysen
Irving inspecting a parade of new AWAS members in Brisbane during August 1942
Australian Women's Army Service
The Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) was a non-medical women's service established in Australia during the Second World War. Raised on 13 August 1941 to "release men from certain military duties for employment in fighting units" the service grew to over 20,000-strong and provided personnel to fill various roles including administration, driving, catering, signals and intelligence. Following the end of the Second World War, the service was demobilised and ceased to exist by 1947. It later provided a cadre of experienced personnel to the Women's Royal Australian Army Corps when it was established in 1951.
Northam, Western Australia, 1943. Minister for the Army Frank Forde and Lieutenant Ivy Levitzke inspecting Australian Women's Army Service personnel at the Western Training Centre
Recruitment poster
Belmont, Queensland, ca 1942. AWAS members instructed in the use of the Owen machine carbine
Brisbane 24 March 1945, AWAS from the Northern Territory during the Victory Loan March