World War 2, Western Australia, MORRISON, Red Cross Field Force, 1945
Australian Red Cross Society Jacket & Trousers, WA Commissioner John Morrison, Red Cross Field Force, Middle East, (donated 1995)
In 1943, John Morrison led a Red Cross Unit with 400 tons of stores, clothing, medical supplies and sporting goods to the Middle East to care for Australian Prisoners of War from Italy.
In New Guinea, the field force handed out food, toiletries and cigarettes. Comments from a wounded soldier:
“Maybe you don’t think that a packet of smokes and toilet gear was much to give, but you’d think differently if you knew what it felt like to have lost your kit and to have been without a wash or a shave for weeks. You’d think differently if you had been wounded and had lain there itching and sweating in pain. Some of the fellows lit cigarettes. Some ran the combs through their hair scratching luxuriously. Some just lay there fingering their treasures. Me? Well, to tell you the truth I first smelt the soap! It was the only clean smell I’d known for months.
(Quote from a wounded soldier - Look what you started Henry! A HISTORY OF THE RED CROSS 1914-1991, Leon Stubbings, pg.40)
Details
Details
This Red Cross uniform was tailored in Perth by Parker & Company W.A. (1895) a firm which still operates today. Service ribbons are the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (black) and the Africa Star.
This uniform formed part of the VP (Victory in the Pacific) special 80th Anniversary Exhibition presented at the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia from 6 to 24 August 2025
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Other items from Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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World war 2, South West Pacific, Timor l'este, Dili, 2/2 Commando, 1942
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World War 2, South West Pacific, Vyner Brooke, BULLWINKEL
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Kanowna
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Former Garrison Entrance Sign - 13 Brigade
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Karoola
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Kyarra
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Wandilla
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Hospital Ship Warlinda
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Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Poster
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Cap, Uniform, Peaked, Coloured
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Watercolour of passenger ship leaving Fremantle docks, 1907
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India Medal (1895-1902)
