Costeloe, Betty: my Women's Auxiliary Air Force recollections (December 6, 1983)

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An interview/narrative of Betty Costeloe's experiences during World War II. Section Officer Costeloe served with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Interview took place on December 6, 1983.

Rank: Section Officer.

Interviewer: Witzel, Morgen

ABSTRACT: Section Officer (Mrs.) Betty Costeloe Women's Auxiliary Air Force Costeloe_B_0040_01.mp3 Born on March 4, 1915 in Yorkshire, England. Joined the Women's Transport Service in Sept. 1939 and was told to report immediately to the local Air Force station. Soon transferred to the operational station at Waddington, Lincolnshire which held two operational squadrons, No. 44 and a New Zealand squadron (217 Squadron). Commissioned into the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in June 1941. Served with both Fighter and Coastal Commands at Hull, Chatham, Plymouth, Liverpool, Northern Ireland. Comments that before commissioning the transport personnel had to work very hard in order to prove themselves to the aircrew. She drove aircrew to their aircraft dispersed around the airfield and found it particularly disturbing that often her former passengers did not return from operations. Waiting was hard. (10:00) As an officer she worked in underground operations rooms. Participated in briefings, distributed "escape boxes" for use in enemy territory. Suffered from stress brought about by the knowledge of frequent operational casualties and the proximity to, or life in, cities such Hull, Plymouth, Liverpool. Coastal Command somewhat less stressful. Stationed in Scotland when war ended. (21:00) Received discharge, but wanted to get away from England, so joined the Women's Voluntary Services organization and went to Malaya. Again found herself a transport driver for the Royal Air Force. Transferred to the Malayan Police as a secretary. Many experiences with those involved with Chinese bandits and/or Communists from Kuala Lumpur to the Thai border. A very tense life. Met her husband there. Emigrated to Canada. General comments on the life of a British citizen or official in Malaya during the "emergency". (31:00) Interview with Maj. Geoffrey Costeloe begins.

Interviewee: Costeloe, Betty, b. 1915

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 52.16045, -0.70312
  • 54.5, -6.5
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 30 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • CB_040
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 24, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2007. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
DOI

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