The RAF’s No. 2 School of Photography was established in August 1940 to meet the rapidly increasing need for more photographers and photographic technicians to aid with aerial reconnaissance during the Second World War. The School was based at the Blackpool Technical College and Palatine Secondary School in Blackpool. Training of women at the School began in 1941.
The poem reads: "Good morning Corporal Tillyard, And Corporal Wakefield too. How are the Angstrom units And the spectrum red to blue. We did all our exteriors And when you looked them through They needed just that "Pht" more, Which we thought wasn't true. Flight Jeffreys was the WAAF's next victim Heaven picked him for his job We found that "No Green Light, No Counter" Could arouse in some a sob. And when he said "Oh Pooey" We cried "No more! No more!" Goodbye, Flight Jeffreys. And to hell with the F.24.
Good morning Sergeant Weaver, How are your purple spots? You said to cut out air bells But we got lots and lots. And dear Flight Sergeant Sutton Whose watch was always fast Made very very certain That on parade we'd not be last. And when started on our printing Sergeant Swan said "I expect I'll have to teach you little girlies Of the Callier effect." And dear old Corporal Beckley We found was such a sport We heard with adoration Everything to us he taught.
The cine guns were binding Smith and Bowden made it fun But just the same we were very glad When the whole darn week was done. And then on board the Trailer We learned to circulate Sergeant Bardon was the Captain Corporal Ross was his first mate. Then to mosaics we gaily drifted What a shock girls! What a bore! We found the more Flight Milton taught us, Corporal Hunt would add some more. And then to General Section, to prepare for T.T.B, And now we are going to shock you For we aren't all AC3.
So thanks to Flight Sergeant Riddle, And Pop, Murgh, Chapman too, And thanks to our instructors, Who strove to push us through."
The poem has the initials E.M.F and C.M.B, so is likely to have been written by Elsie M Fisk and Cynthia M Bradford, both recruits on the first intake of WAAFs at the No.2 School.
This is part of the Volume: CHP01/07/01 Photograph Album Compiled by Knicky Chapman; within the Series: CHP01/07 Women's Auxiliary Air Force Second World War Photographs; within the Collection: CHP01 Knicky Chapman Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Military, Second World War, Women's History
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