Item SH 880210 Apron - Voluntary Aid Detachment, White Cotton, Elizabeth Anderson, World War I, 1914-1918

Summary

Alternative Name(s): VAD Uniform

World War I Voluntary Aid Detachment apron with Red Cross motif, worn by Elizabeth (Betty) Anderson of Kew. According to Goodman (1991), VADs had to provide their own uniforms, and none was paid.

Betty (Elizabeth) was the daughter of James Caldwell Anderson and Mary Lloyd Anderson, and grand-daughter of renowned architect Lloyd Tayler. Born in 1889, Betty was one of four siblings, all of whom she outlived. The family lived at 'Mynda', 5 Molesworth Street, Kew, Melbourne. Betty served with the Red Cross, apparently as a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) nurse during World War I, although details are confined to this Red Cross apron and a photograph. She never married, and lived to the age of 92, passing away in 1982.

Physical Description

Long white cotton nurse's apron with red cross on bib; low calf length. Shoulder straps button to waist at back. Buttons originally cloth-covered (now with cloth losses). Single pocket proper right side below waist. Round neckline torn to form V shape. Cotton tape sewn to inside waistband has name hand-written on it. Extensive foxing throughout, and several separate brown stains on front.