Item HT 25769 Uniform - Australian Army Medical Women's Service, World War II, 1943-1944

Summary

Khaki World War II Australian Army Medical Women's Service uniform comprising jacket and skirt. Hat HT 25770 was probably worn with this uniform. An additional uniform jacket was also acquired from the donor.

Worn by Alice Isabel Vigor, who was born in 1919 and grew up in Bacchus Marsh. Alice attended Stott's College (established 1883) to learn typing, and saw the war as a chance to leave home and gain her independence. She enlisted on 3 July 1944, and served in the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (service #VFX128592), including overseas service in New Guinea and New Britain. Her family believe she may have driven an ambulance. She met her future husband during the war and married him after her discharge on 25 February 1946. They set up home together in Northcote, where his family lived. They had three children, of whom the donor was the youngest.

In her later years, her family framed her service medals with a photograph of her from World War II. Alice commented that the uniform did not go with the medals, but her meaning was unclear, as the image shows her during World War II, and the medals were awarded to her. The family has retained the framed medals, but lent them to Museum Victoria to be photographed.

The Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS) was formed in December 1942, mainly from former St John Ambulance Voluntary Aid Detachments (known as VADs), and also including members of the volunteer Red Cross. AAMWS members served as nurses, nursing aides and technicians in hospitals, tending sick and wounded soldiers in the New Guinea, Bougainville, New Britain, Morotai, Borneo and Australia. An AAMWS training school opened in March 1944, and Alice Vigor may well have received the usual seven weeks' training there. Nearly 8,500 AAMWS served in World War II from December 1942. The AAMWS was disbanded in 1951. (Australian War Memorial and Jan Bassett, Guns & Brooches)

The contemporary publication Australia in Uniform, 1943, shows the range of uniform options worn by the AAMWS, including the uniform pieces acquired with this donation. The skirt could be worn with or without the jacket, with a khaki drill shirt and tie. Other uniform options included a khaki cardigan, an 'overall' (a front-buttoned dress), safari jacket and trousers, 'greatcoat', tan kid gloves and a head veil. Sensible brown shoes or boots completed the ensemble. A brown canvas kit bag was also supplied.

Physical Description

Khaki uniform comprising jacket and skirt. Khaki wool jacket, secured with four brass badges down front and waist belt with plain steel buckle. Buttons have raised outline of Australia, crown above, and inscription 'AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES'. Pocket on each breast, with flap secured by smaller version of same button; pocket on each hip, with flaps but without buttons. Rising sun badge on each side of collar. On each shoulder is sewn a felt patch, comprising white diamond, topped with brown diamond, and finally finished with maroon rectangle - a unit colour patch. Beneath this, on the right arm, is a red cross, satin stitched in red and white on khaki felt. On right sleeve is a pair of blue chevrons on a single patch. Shoulders each have an epaulette, secured with a further button, and a badge 'AUSTRALIA. Cream lining, stained, particularly around back opening. Moth holes throughout. Khaki wool skirt, A-line, with 40mm wide waist band, tightened with two steel buckles. Right side opening, fastened with four hooks and eyes. Pair of slit pockets on back. Unlined. Cream label inside back of waist band.

Significance

This uniform is significant as a rare material record of women's service during World War II. Numerically less significant than men, nevertheless women played many vital roles in the war, both on the home front and in theatres of war. The uniform is from an identified wearer, still alive at the time of donation. The family retains the wearer's medals.