VAD SHOULDER BADGE
c. 1940 - 1945Shoulder badge worn by VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) nurses during WWI and WWII.
The donor of this item, Mr. Peter Wayne, was bush walking in October 2009 when he spotted something glinting in the bushes. Curious, Mr. Wayne picked up the object and found it was an old badge, which he recognised as belonging to the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) and handed it to the Shire of Toodyay Administration Centre for donation to the Newcastle Gaol Museum.
Details
Details
VAD Australia, stamped on back STOKES
The VAD nurses were established in the First World War by the Red Cross and the Order of St John. Initially they served only in Australia, supporting military nursing staff in such roles as orderlies, fundraisers and the nursing of soldiers crippled by the war. By the Second World War, the group's numbers and duties were expanded to include their involvement overseas as ambulance drivers, hospital ship nurses and in the blood banks. Although not fully qualified nurses, these women played an important role in keeping the hospitals running and rehabilitating soldiers. By 1967 the group was renamed the Voluntary Aid Service Corps.
Although this badge cannot be traced to its original owner, it is considered likely that the object is related to inhabitants of the town of Toodyay.
Other items from Shire of Toodyay
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ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS 1908
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PAGE OF GOVERNMENT GAZETTE 1916
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WEDDING DRESS, CLARA BUTTERLY 1885
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BULLETS X 6; ROUND NOSE.303
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BULLETS X 3: PISTOL .303
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BULLETS; FRAGMENTS .303
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BULLET; BOAT TAIL .308
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BULLET, PISTOL (UNKNOWN)
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RING HANDLE, AMMUNITION CASE
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STAMPS X 3 AFFIXED TO CARD; 2 X ONE PENNY RED AND 1 X TWOPENCE YELLOW
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SEWING MACHINE; SINGER 31K
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WEDDING SHOES
