The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
British Red Cross Society, women's ankle length dark/grey blue wool gabardine skirt. There is a patch pocket with a buttoned flap on the front of both hips. The simple self-fabric belt, which has a pointed buttonholed tongue, is fastened with a single large button. Five press studs and hook and eye fasteners secure the opening on the left side. The black plastic buttons on the pockets and belt have 'BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY' around the edge and a shield embossed with a cross in the centre. There is an inverted box pleat in the back of the skirt, which runs from the waistband to the bottom hem. It tapers from 170mm wide at the bottom to 15mm at the top. The waistband is lined with black Petersham ribbon. '118 VAD' is written on a small stiff white label, which is stapled to the excess fabric on the inside of the left side seam, just below the waistband.
Ada Hogg described her activities during the war; ' I..went to France (on 20th September 1915) as Hon. Secretary of No. 1 Red Cross Hospital ...' She transferred to the Australian Division of the British Red Cross Society in August 1918 and 'did a special job for them in London'.. Hogg continued Red Cross work as a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) until 30th June 1919. She successfully passed the tests for the Surgical Requisites Association, and held a badge and badge certificate of the Orthopaedic Branch of Queen Mary's Needlework Guild. "For my work in connection with the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association I was presented with a beautiful certificate by Royalty" .
VAD's were raised from Red Cross and the Order of St. John members in the First World War. They worked for no pay, and were able to release men for active duty. They worked in military and domestic hospitals, Red Cross convalescent homes, troop ships, trains, and canteens, providing basic nursing and domestic services, including cleaning and cooking. After 1916 they were able to work in Military hospitals not only in Australia, but also in France and Flanders, often near the front lines.
According to her, the other components of this uniform, which she wore, were a bonnet-like cap with a joint Red Cross & St Johns Ambulance enamel badge on the front, a white silk shirt and collar, a black silk neck tie, black cashmere stockings, and black laced shoes.
Studio portrait of Miss Ada M Hogg, Assistant Quartermaster of the Australian Division of the British Red Cross. Miss Hogg began her career in Australia as the Honorary Treasurer of the Shepherds Bush
Dark blue wool gabardine single-breasted loose-fitting jacket from the British Red Cross Society, Australian Division. The collar is open with oxidised brass collar badge similar to the Australian Arm
Dark blue wool gabardine single-breasted loose-fitting jacket from the British Red Cross Society, Australian Division. The collar is open with oxidised brass collar badge similar to the Australian Arm
Unlined khaki cotton Aertex skirt 'A' line. The original left seam waist fastening, of buttons and hooks and eyes, has been replaced with a plastic zip and button at a later date. 'P A Smith' is marke
Rectangular brass and blue, white and red enamelled badge. The badge shows a red cross in the centre and the words 'RED CROSS EMERGENCY SERVICE'. The reverse has a pin fastening and bears the makers d
Khaki wool worsted tie. The original brooch-backed Red Cross tie badge is missing. The manufacturer's label sewn to the back of the tie reads, 'AUSTICO REGO / FADELESS "SUPER-SPARVA" / WASHABLE / CREA
Lined khaki cotton Aertex jacket with two breast and two hip pockets, each fastened with an oxidised brass Red Cross button. The jacket fastens down the from with four similar Red Cross buttons, and t
Khaki fur felt hat with a brown silk Petersham ribbon band with red edging on top and bottom, fastened in a bow on the right side. There is a bronze, red and white enamelled Australian Red Cross Socie
