Three former Met. officers (now retired)—Messrs V. J. Bahr, W. J. Gibbs and A. K. Hannay spent considerable personal time and effort in providing me with information, and in making preliminary arrangements for my contacts with other people and places.

To Misses Kathleen Atherton, MBE (Brisbane), Nan Gaby (Sydney Met. Bureau), Mrs Florence Hall (Bendigo), and Mrs Dulcie Wilkinson (Melbourne), I am grateful for their contributions which enabled me to include something about the meteorological personnel of the Women's Australian Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF).

My only regret was that a complete list of Meteorological Assistants and Meteorological Charters was nowhere available—and hence, could not be included. Hence the list of these shown in Appendix 3 is, unfortunately, not comprehensive.

This story emerges at a time when the surviving members of Australia's World War II armed forces have become senior citizens. Many have passed on since 1945—even some who have contributed to this account. As our nation's bicentenary approaches, it seems fitting to keep alive the memory of those who have served our country well. This account then, is dedicated to the men and women of the RAAF Met. Service.

Figure 1 Map showing areas in which the RAAF Meteorological Service operated during World War II. Personnel of the RAAF Meteorological Service at many of the named locations.

To gain a clearer picture of the role played by the RAAF Met. Service during World War II, it is helpful to review briefly the development of aviation meteorological services during the period 1934 to 1939.

Bureau of Meteorology