WOMEN war veterans descended on a museum near York, as air force veterans from around the country attended a special event.

Hundreds of women visited the city yesterday to celebrate the Second Annual Women's Allied Air Service Memorial Day at the Yorkshire Air Museum, near Elvington.

A memorial plaque and rose were dedicated to mark 80 years since the formation of the Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service, which allowed women to stay in the RAF after the First World War. This was the only role open to women in the RAF until the formation of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in 1939.

Another rose was dedicated to Nellie Griffiths, who was killed in a tragic accident in 1944, but whose name does not appear on the list of women air force who died in Yorkshire during the Second World War.

"This was part of a day to remember the 'Forgotten WAAF' and was marked in style with a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight performing a flypast in honour of the past and continuing contribution made by women to the defence of the nation," said a museum spokesman.

Doug Sample, president of the Yorkshire Air Museum's fundraising Canada Branch, unveiled a plaque dedicated to the women of the Royal Canadian Air Force and all other Commonwealth nations, in a service conducted by the Reverend Canon Valerie Hewitson, of Barmby Moor.

Updated: 10:37 Friday, June 13, 2003