NAM.1986-08-26-1

Tunic, full dress, all ranks’, Voluntary Aid Detachment India and British Red Cross, used by Phoebe Stella Taylor-Lowen, 1946-1947. Blue serge. Single-breasted. Pocket with flap on each front skirt, no cuffs. Stepped collar. No cuffs. Brass shoulder titles with pierced letters ‘GI’ and brooch fitting, on upper part of shoulder strap. Further brass cast shoulder title, consisting of a concave plate bearing the title ‘RED CROSS’, below which ‘20’ in pierced numerals, below all a convex plate bearing ‘HEREFORD’, with split pin and plate fitting on reverse, on shoulder strap. Machine embroidered shoulder titles on each upper sleeve, with red silk thread title on a blue wool cloth ground. Embroidered sleeve badges on each upper sleeve of a red silk thread cross on a white flannel ground. Embroidered sleeve badge on left lower sleeve, showing a blue silk thread circlet edged with yellow silk thread bearing the white silk thread title ‘MOBILE’, the circlet enclosing the white silk thread letters ‘VAD’ upon a red cloth ground, above all a monarchial crown proper, the whole upon a shaped blue cloth ground. Embroidered red worsted lace service chevrons upon a blue worsted lace ground on lower left sleeve below all badges. Gilt metal and red and white enamel collar badge showing a Union rose. Two almost flat black composition buttons at centre front, one on each pocket, one on each shoulder and three on each lower sleeve, with design of a shield charged with a Geneva Cross within a circlet bearing ‘BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY’, the whole upon a hatched ground. Grey corded rayon lining.