Felicity Hill facts for kids

Air Commodore Dame Felicity Barbara Hill was a very important British officer in the Royal Air Force. She was born on December 12, 1915, and lived to be 103 years old. She passed away on January 30, 2019. From 1966 to 1969, she was the Director of the Women's Royal Air Force. This meant she was in charge of all the women serving in the RAF at that time.

Joining the Military

In 1939, when World War II began, Felicity Hill joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). The WAAF was a special part of the Royal Air Force for women. She had first tried to join the Navy's women's service, but it took too long. So, she joined the WAAF with some friends.

A Tricky Start

Felicity was actually a bit too short to join the military. But the person measuring her added half an inch to her height. This made her tall enough to meet the minimum requirement. She later said she probably "should never have got in." Her first job was as an aircraftwoman. This meant she helped with equipment at a place called RAF Farnborough. She gave out "anything from pants to revolvers" from the stores.

Becoming an Officer

Felicity first tried to become an officer, but she was too young. In June 1940, she took the WAAF's first training course for non-commissioned officers (NCOs). After this, she was promoted to corporal. She then became an instructor, teaching new recruits at RAF West Drayton. Later, her training school moved to Harrogate because of the London Blitz. The Blitz was a time when London was heavily bombed.

Felicity tried again to become an officer and passed her second attempt. She went to the WAAF's Officer Training School in Bulstrode Park, Buckingham. On December 18, 1940, she officially became an officer. Her first officer rank was assistant section officer. This rank was similar to a pilot officer for men.

Important Duties

In 1941, Felicity worked at RAF Wyton. One of her jobs was to interview people who wanted to join the WAAF. She even interviewed Sarah Churchill, who was the daughter of the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

From 1942 to 1943, she worked at the WAAF Directorate. This was the main office that managed the WAAF. On February 1, 1942, she was promoted to temporary section officer. This rank was like a flying officer for men. On January 1, 1943, she became a temporary flight officer, similar to a flight lieutenant. She then worked at RAF Kirkwall in Scotland in 1943. From 1943 to 1944, she was based at RAF Turnhouse.