Summary

Australia
War Medal 1939 - 1945 1945 (AD)
Mint: not recorded
Awarded to: Rentoul, Y.E.

War Service medal awarded to Yvonne Ethel Rentoul. Rentoul was born on 15 Nov 1908. She served in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II, and was also awarded the Australian Service Medal (NU 18219]. Her service number was 350085. In Townsville the establishment of the RAAF Headquarters, North-Eastern Area, created an urgent need for teleprinter operators and general clerks. Around 20 airwomen were posted to the base between October 1941 and February 1942. Section Officer Yvonne Rentoul was posted to Townsville as Officer-in-Charge of WAAAF in early 1942. She was responsible for the establishment of WAAAF Barracks at St Anne's School (its pupils had been evacuated inland) and also the administration of the WAAAF in Townsville. She oversaw the conduct and well-being of hundreds of airwomen among the thousands of servicemen, many of whom had recently returned from forward areas. She had to deal with tensions between Australian and American servicemen and between service personnel and the civilian population. In April 1942, Rentoul conducted a course for WAAAF recruits from Townsville, aiming primarily to provide twelve drivers for senior American officers. Rentoul was discharged at the RAAF Headquarters on 2 Dec 1945.

Physical Description

A cupro-nickel medal with mount and ribbon. The obverse features a crowned head of King George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: (Translation - George VI by the Grace of God King of all the British, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); the artist's initials H.P. (T.H. Paget) in the field below the neck. The reverse depicts a lion standing facing left on a fallen two-headed dragon; in field above lion, 1939 1945; the artist's initials E.CR.P. (A. Carter Preston) in field to left of lion. The edge is impressed: 350085 Y.E.RENTOUL

Obverse Description

A crowned head of King George VI facing left; around, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: (Translation - George VI by the Grace of God King of all the British, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India); the artist's initials H.P. (T.H. Paget) in the field below the neck.

Reverse Description

A lion standing facing left on a fallen two-headed dragon; in field above lion, 1939 1945; the artist's initials E.CR.P. (A. Carter Preston) in field to left of lion.

Edge Description

350085 Y.E.RENTOUL

Significance

Yvonne Ethel Rentoul was born on 15 Nov 1908. She served in the Royal Australian Air Force in World War II, and was awarded the War Service medal (NU 18220) and the Australian Service Medal (NU 18219]. Her service number was 350085.

In Townsville the establishment of the RAAF Headquarters, North-Eastern Area, created an urgent need for teleprinter operators and general clerks. Around 20 airwomen were posted to the base between October 1941 and February 1942. Section Officer Yvonne Rentoul was posted to Townsville as Officer-in-Charge of WAAAF in early 1942. She was responsible for the establishment of WAAAF Barracks at St Anne's School (its pupils had been evacuated inland) and also the administration of the WAAAF in Townsville. She oversaw the conduct and well-being of hundreds of airwomen among the thousands of servicemen, many of whom had recently returned from forward areas. She had to deal with tensions between Australian and American servicemen and between service personnel and the civilian population.

In April 1942, Rentoul conducted a course for WAAAF recruits from Townsville, aiming primarily to provide twelve drivers for senior American officers.

Rentoul was discharged at the RAAF Headquarters on 2 Dec 1945. -WAAAF in Wartime Australia, p 151; World War Two Nominal Roll web site http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/. -D. Tout-Smith 5/2/2004.

This medal awarded to members who served full-time in operational or non-operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. The qualifying period is 28 days; for the Merchant Marine, the 28 days must be served at sea.

A member Mentioned in Dispatches for service during World War 2 wears a bronze oak leaf emblem on the ribbon. Only one emblem is worn no matter how many times a member may have been 'mentioned'.
based on: http://www.anzacday.org.au/education/medals/general/ww2.html

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