Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse's Uniform

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

52642

Title

Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse's uniform

Description

Nurse's dress in light blue medium weight cotton, short sleeves with turn up cuffs; small roll collar; 2 breast pockets, 2 other at waist level and buttoned from neck to bottom. Right hand breast pocket is oblong for holding scissors and thermometer, left hand is squarish and has a badge sewn on it. The whole navy blue but the logo is in red and white comprising of a circle with a Red Cross in the centre and surrounding that, the words "V. A, DETACHMENT" underneath which is printed "FIRST AID & NURSING" (V.A. means Voluntary Aid). The 2 other pockets are hidden from vision. There is also a 54 mm hem. The dress is made in 2 pieces joined and gathered at the waist which looks very rucked at the back.

Date

1945

Type

Textile

Accession number

HH6448/1/2005

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries

The nurse’s uniform was worn around the time of World War 2 by Margaret Erskine of Edinburgh. Margaret served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. VAD nurses worked in hospitals and convalescent homes in Britain as well as field hospitals near the War’s front lines. They supported the work of professional doctors and nurses and were highly skilled themselves. The bright red cross on their uniform made sure VAD nurses could be identified easily, whether on the ward or the battlefield.

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