Katharine Bentley Beauman Collection

Interrogation of Aircrews; W. A. A. F. Help In This Work, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Interrogation of Aircrews; W.A.A.F. Help In This Work, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

Physical Training at a Recruits Depot, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Physical Training at a Recruits Depot, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

Operations Room, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Operations Room, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Nursing Orderly, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Nursing Orderly, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

W. A. A. F. Band on Parade, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
W.A.A.F. Band on Parade, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

M. T. Driver, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
M.T. Driver, c1943. MT (motor transport) driver. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

A Station Intelligence Room, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
A Station Intelligence Room, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

R. A. F. Sergeant Drills Airwomen, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
R.A.F. Sergeant Drills Airwomen, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

H. R. H. The Duchess of Gloucester, Air Commandant, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
H.R.H. The Duchess of Gloucester, Air Commandant, c1943. Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester(1901-2004) was appointed Senior Controller of the Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF) in 1939

Off Duty, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Off Duty, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Parachute Packers, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Parachute Packers, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

W. A. A. F. Officers at Their School of Instruction, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
W.A.A.F. Officers at Their School of Instruction, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

Bomber Crews, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Bomber Crews, c1943. British Royal Air Force crews preparing to go on a bombing mission during World War II. From " Wings On Her Shoulders", by Katharine Bentley Beauman

At A Balloon Centre, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
At A Balloon Centre, c1943. Barrage balloons were used to defend against attack by enemy aircraft. They were raised aloft on cables to create a risk of collision

Spitfire, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Spitfire, c1943. The iconic British Second World War fighter was designed by Reginald Mitchell. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine

Between Fights, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Between Fights, c1943. British Royal Air Force pilots relaxing between missions during World War II. From " Wings On Her Shoulders", by Katharine Bentley Beauman

On Signals Duty, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
On Signals Duty, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Night Fighters, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Night Fighters, c1943. British Royal Air Force pilots waiting to go on a mission during World War II. From " Wings On Her Shoulders", by Katharine Bentley Beauman

Balloon Fabric Workers, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Balloon Fabric Workers, c1943. WaFs making barrage balloons. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

Crews and Ground Staff, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Crews and Ground Staff, c1943. British Royal Air Force mechanics preparing aircraft before a bombing mission during World War II

Summer Day, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Summer Day, c1943. WaFs relaxing. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Balloon Operator, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Balloon Operator, c1943. Woman in waterproofs operating a barrage balloon. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

W. A. A. F. Officer Lectures, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
W.A.A.F. Officer Lectures, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Flight Mechanics; Also a W. A. A. F. Trade, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Flight Mechanics; Also a W.A.A.F. Trade, c1943. British Royal Air Force mechanics working on aircraft during World War II

Corporal and Cadet, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Corporal and Cadet, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

An Examination Will Follow, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
An Examination Will Follow, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Code and Cypher Officer, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Code and Cypher Officer, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Getting Ready for the Raid, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Getting Ready for the Raid, c1943. Bombs being prepared for an RAF raid over Germany during World War Two. From " Wings On Her Shoulders", by Katharine Bentley Beauman

In The Reading Room, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
In The Reading Room, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Watching the Battle, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Watching the Battle, c1943. WaF watching a dogfight between RAF and German air force planes. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs

Cadets on the March, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Cadets on the March, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

P. T. Instructor, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
P.T. Instructor, c1943. The Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WaF), whose members were referred to as WaFs, was the female auxiliary of the British Royal Air Force during World War II

Repairing Barrage Balloons, c1943. Creator: Cecil Beaton
Repairing Barrage Balloons, c1943. Barrage balloons were used to defend against attack by enemy aircraft. They were raised aloft on cables to create a risk of collision

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"Katharine Bentley Beauman: A Woman of Many Roles in World War II" Step into the world of Katharine Bentley Beauman, a remarkable woman who played multiple roles during World War II. From interrogating aircrews to providing physical training at a recruits depot, Katharine was an invaluable member of the W. A. A. F. (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) and made significant contributions to the war effort. In Cecil Beaton's iconic photographs, we catch glimpses of Katharine's diverse responsibilities. In one image, she can be seen in the operations room, diligently working alongside her fellow W. A. A. F members to ensure smooth communication and coordination between aircrew and ground staff. But Katharine wasn't just confined to administrative duties; she also took part in physically demanding tasks. In another photograph, she is captured participating in rigorous physical training at a recruits depot – showcasing her determination and dedication towards maintaining peak fitness levels. Her versatility didn't end there; Katharine also served as a nursing orderly, tending to wounded soldiers with compassion and skill. The photograph captures her caring nature as she tends to those in need during their road to recovery. Music played an important role during wartime morale-boosting efforts, and it was no different for Katharine. She proudly marched with the W. A. A. F Band on Parade – an inspiring sight that lifted spirits both on base and beyond. Not afraid of getting behind the wheel either, Katharine proved herself as an M. T driver – navigating through challenging terrains while transporting personnel or supplies wherever they were needed most. With intelligence being crucial for military operations, it comes as no surprise that Katharine found herself working tirelessly in a station intelligence room. Her sharp mind helped gather vital information that aided decision-making processes within the RAF (Royal Air Force). Always eager to learn more skills herself, even amidst wartime chaos, Katherine attended the School of Instruction for W. A. A. F. Officers.