Sybil Howy Irving MBE, courtesy of Australian War Memorial.

Title

Sybil Howy Irving MBE

Description

Early 1930s. A studio portrait of Miss Sybil Howy Irving MBE, who in 1941, was invited to form and administer the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) as the Controller of AWAS with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel (Lt Col). In October 1941 Lt Col Irving set about selecting twenty-eight women as officers to form the nucleus of the AWAS. They were women selected for their proven leadership in their own trade, profession or in some form of community service. By 23 November 1941, these women together with Lt-Col Irving commenced training at Guide House, Yarra Junction, Victoria. At the conclusion of the training the officers were appointed to constitute the AWAS Headquarters and AWAS Training Schools in the various Army Commands. Eventually the AWAS numbered over 20,000. Before becoming the Controller of AWAS Miss Irving had been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1939 for her work as secretary for the Girl Guides Association, Victoria. The portrait shows Miss Irving in a nursing uniform however it is not clear when or if she served as a nurse.

Control

P02638.002

Source

Australian War Memorial