Cap, World War 1 Nurse's
Production date
1914-1918
Country
Australia
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Object detail
Description
White cotton cap with applique red cross on brow. Bell shaped, starched hem at bottom with red cross stitched on in middle, other edges roughly hemmed, gather and tie at top, in middle.
Classification
COSTUME Uniforms Civil woman
Production date
1914-1918
Production place
Measurements
Bottom width 448mm x height 362mm
Media/Materials description
Cotton (Textiles)
Signature/Marks
+
History and use
This homemade nurse’s cap belonged to Miss Evelyn Drury, one of many women who worked behind the scenes at home to help the war effort during World War 1.
Miss Drury was a member of Scribblers, a women’s literary society established in Brisbane in 1911. During the War all members of Scribblers were involved in the war effort, supporting Australian soldiers by working in the Comforts Fund, making clothing, and collecting items such as tobacco and books to send to troops overseas.
Miss Drury was one of several Scribblers members who also worked as members of the Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD) in Brisbane, Queensland, during the
War. VADs were organised by the Australian Red Cross and worked in hospitals, assisting nurses with tasks such as cleaning, sweeping ward floors and washing patients. VADs also provided first aid, comforts, domestic assistance and other supports for returned and wounded soldiers in convalescent homes in Australia.
Each of the VADs was provided with first aid training and received nursing certificates. Miss Drury assisted as a VAD in the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital in Brisbane (now known as Yungaba) where she helped make light refreshments such as scones and cakes to sell to sick and wounded soldiers in the restaurant.
Miss Drury used this nurse’s cap while working as a VAD. It features a red cross stitched into the centre and was donated in 1992 by one of Miss Drury’s descendants.
Miss Drury was a member of Scribblers, a women’s literary society established in Brisbane in 1911. During the War all members of Scribblers were involved in the war effort, supporting Australian soldiers by working in the Comforts Fund, making clothing, and collecting items such as tobacco and books to send to troops overseas.
Miss Drury was one of several Scribblers members who also worked as members of the Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD) in Brisbane, Queensland, during the
War. VADs were organised by the Australian Red Cross and worked in hospitals, assisting nurses with tasks such as cleaning, sweeping ward floors and washing patients. VADs also provided first aid, comforts, domestic assistance and other supports for returned and wounded soldiers in convalescent homes in Australia.
Each of the VADs was provided with first aid training and received nursing certificates. Miss Drury assisted as a VAD in the Kangaroo Point Military Hospital in Brisbane (now known as Yungaba) where she helped make light refreshments such as scones and cakes to sell to sick and wounded soldiers in the restaurant.
Miss Drury used this nurse’s cap while working as a VAD. It features a red cross stitched into the centre and was donated in 1992 by one of Miss Drury’s descendants.
Associated person
Registration number
H24022
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