The remarkable history of the Seawomen of the Marinecraft Unit, and the first BOAC Stewardesses at Poole.

A Heritage Lottery funded community research project.

Poole Flying Boats Celebration (PFBC)

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Celebrating the Seawomen of the Marinecraft Unit, and the first BOAC Stewardesses at Poole.

Alpha (1) - part two

Marine School of BOAC at Poole with a Syllabus for the Seawomen

EXCERPT:

The Recruits as Marine School Trainees with BOAC Poole, commenced in 1943 with use of the Marinecraft Unit base formerly of Imperial Airways (following the relocation of the Flying Boat Fleet from Southampton), close to Airways House at Poole, and with its yard for the equipment, handcarts etc.

The Trainees were issued with a practical oufit akin to that of the MCU Seamen, with the excellent close-knit sweaters to keep out the chill from the Harbour breezes, and heavy waterproof coats. The insignia on the popular sweaters had been adapted from that emblazoned on MCU uniforms of Imperial Airways in the pre-war: From 1940 the inscription of ‘Imperial Airways’ in capital lettering had simply been changed to ‘British Airways’, whilst retaining the Speedbird Logo by Theyre Lee-Elliott as centrepiece of the design.

‘British Airways’ (with a number) also appeared on MCU Launches. These were maintained at the Launch House beyond Poole Bridge and were moored alongside Poole Quay, in Fishermen’s Dock and at the Pierhead of the newly opened Marine Terminal at Salterns in-&-around the requisitioned ‘Harbour Yacht Club’ Buildings etc.

Please download the pdf (right) for the full story…

Marine School of BOAC at Poole with a Syllabus for the Seawomen

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About the AYE MA'AM Project Community Focus Promoting the AYE MA'AM project & Recruiting volunteers, 2013

About the Research Volunteer Training, March 2014 Volunteer Training - Oral Recording, November 2014 Project Research Flow Diagram

Selected photos & our video Public Display at Parkstone Library, April 2014 Libbie Escolme-Schmidt & Bournemouth Air Festival, July-August 2014 Blue Plaque at Salterns Marina, October 2013

The AYE MA'AM Story - Archive Index Setting the Scene - New Horizons 1.1 Ahoy There - Women Seamen of BOAC's Marine School at Poole 1.2 Marine School of BOAC at Poole with a Syllabus for the Seawomen 2.1 Sky High - BOAC Shuttle Services between Poole and Foynes, Eire 2.2 US Stewardesses on the Flying Boats of PanAm, AEA and Avalon 3.1 Tour de Force - Women with the Military when based at Poole 3.2 Wrens with RN Poole, and also at HMS Turtle (Combined Ops) 5 BOAC's Marinecraft Unit Seawomen at Poole: Making Waves 6.2 The Remarkable Mrs Louie Dingwall (nee Louisa / Louie Foott) 7 The Focus of Other Women - Within the Local Workforce at Poole 10 Seawomen to the Fore: Boeings, RAF Transport Control and All 18 Customs by Taxi - BOAC Hurn and integral relationship with Poole Summation: Time for Reflections