Meet one of Australia’s oldest living Female veterans

Olive Jardine (nee McNeil,) served in World War II with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), is one of only 47 female veterans over the age of 101.

Mrs Jardine 2021

Olive Jardine in uniform

The daughter of a WWI veteran, Mrs Jardine felt an obligation to “do [her] … bit” for the war effort and enrolled in the WAAF in 1941, understanding that by entering service herself she would enable a man to be released to “active” duty. After her initial 12 months of service, Mrs Jardine enlisted for the remainder of the war, serving as a Clerks Account.

During her service, Mrs Jardine was posted to 5 Service Flying Training School at Uranquinty (“Quinty”) and 5 Aircraft Deport at Forest Hill, as well as RAAF Headquarters in Melbourne. While conditions at “Quinty” were spartan – she recalls shivering in unlined huts through winters so cold, she would wake up with ice on her blankets - there were also fond memories of the wonderful atmosphere at the bases including dances and sports days and the opening a swimming pool in 1944.

At “Quinty”

“We were a very happy bunch of girls who enjoyed our Service life working as a team,” said Mrs Jardine. “Whether we had come from poor, rich or in-between homes was of no consequence – an equality existed … [and] many friendships have endured to this day”

A talented piano player and teacher, one of Mrs Jardine’s proudest memories of her time in service was when she was approached by members of the RAAF base band and became the only female band member at “Quinty”.

Peace was declared while Mrs Jardine was stationed at Forrest Hill. “How well I remember the Sunday night prior to the official proclamation!”, she said, recalling racing to the Sgts Mess in a pair of overalls hastily thrown over her nightdress, her hair still in curlers. “Jubilation was rife – what an exciting night!”

While relieved that the war was coming to an end, Mrs Jardine found that “returning home everything was as it had been before … the people were no different [but] … we Service people seemed to talk a different language, many missed Service life and comradeship. … For many it was an unsettling period”

Mrs Jardine was able to transition to paid employment across a range secretarial and accounting positions in the private and public sector before marrying in 1949 and having two sons.

Mrs Jardine is a long time member of the North Ryde Sub-Branch.

Mrs Jardine was interviewed in 2003 for the Australians at War Film Archive compiled by UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy. If you would like to hear more of her story in her own words, please visit the site: https://australiansatwarfilmarchive.unsw.edu.au/archive/225

We were saddened to hear from from Mrs Jardine’s son Trevor this weekend that Mrs Jardine has been admitted to hospital. Our thoughts are with the Jardine family.