Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

World War 2, Western Australia, WX32961, McDONALD, (nee BARKLA) Voluntary Aid Detachment,1945

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Overview

Khaki Greatcoat, belonging to WXF32961 Corporal Daphne Wynne McDonald, Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAWMS), 118 Australian General Hospital, Northam, (donated 2006)

This double-breasted khaki woollen greatcoat has two corporal rank woven chevrons and a colour patch of the 118 Australian General Hospital, Northam. The red embroidered Geneva cross was worn on Voluntary Aid Detachment uniforms. With the creation of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service in December 1942, women serving as VADs were absorbed into the new auxiliary. They staffed military base and camp hospitals throughout Australia, served in the Middle East and with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan. The AAMWS was merged into the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps in 1951.

Historical information

With the creation of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service in December 1942, women serving as VADs were absorbed into the new auxiliary. They staffed military base and camp hospitals throughout Australia, served in the Middle East and with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan. The AAMWS was merged into the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps in 1951.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-732

Contextual information

This uniform element 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

Links to additional resources

118 AGH in Northam

Service Records WX32961 McDonald

Last modified

Friday, 8 August, 2025

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Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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