Historical information

Joyce Barry served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War. In her interview, Joyce shares what inspired her to join the services and what training was like for a young woman living in Victoria.
Joyce was born on 1/5/1922 and passed away on the 26/10/2025 at the age of 103. She enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force at the age of 19 years and 11 months on April 8 1942 and was discharged on November 11 1946. Her service number was 95156 and performed duty as a Clerk Stores Assistant. Her husband Richard Barry served with the RAN during WW2 and her father John “Jack” Poulter 1296, born in Wangaratta served with the 8 Light Horse during WW1. He was wounded in action on 2/11/1917 receiving a gunshot wound to the thigh. He was discharged on 25/10/1919 and later became a policeman. Joyce passed away in October 2025 at the age of 103.

Physical description

This digital oral history interview was conducted at Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch on March 21, 2018 as part of the Veterans Heritage Project.