Red paperback book with colour drawings on cover and white and blue text on cover and spinenon-fiction'War memorabilia with a difference. The spirit of pariotism and self sacrifice which gave birth to an organisation such as the V.A.D. and allowed it to function, initially as a vouluntary unit in the early years of the war and later, through integration, as the Australian Army Medical Women's Service, is recorded for all time in this beautifully presented book. Accounts of service throughout Australia, in the Middle East and the S.W. Pacific, exhibit the particular brand of good humour and comradeship which was so much a part of service life. These personal experiences have been skilfully combined by Mary Critch (who herself saw service in Australia and the Islands) with photographs and official documents to create an absorbing story of both historical and human interest. The foreword is by Miss May Douglas, M.B.E.' From back cover 'Contents: Who Were the V.A.D.'s? Suitable Capable Women of the A.M.F. V.A.D Service Overseas 1941-1943 The Australian Continent Finding Our Bearings 1941-1942 The Australian Connection Reorganisation of the Service of the V.A.D. Training the A.A.M.W.S As Nurses The South West Pacific 1943-1946 Service With Occupational Forces and Demobilisation'australian army voluntary aid detachments, australian army medical women's service, mary critch, history of vad, history of aamws, australia

On 13/8/1914 Red Cross was set up in Victoria as a branch of the British Red Cross. This coincided with the outbreak of WW1. Its initial remit was to supply comforts packages for soldiers. This expanded to the Voluntary Aid Detachments' (VAD) who cared for sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals or on transport ships. In 1929 the Red Cross Blood transfusion Service began. After WW11 it continued to expand into all domestic and overseas humanitarian operations. The Kangaroo Flat group was first mentioned in the newspapers in August 1915.Black and white rectangle photograph. Edges have been hand cut. Back has description written in blue pen and copyright stamp. Ladies Red Cross Kangaroo Flat 1961, Sitting - Mrs Browning, Mrs Mitchell Sec + Tres, Mrs E Lanyon 90 years of age, 47 years continuous service to Red Cross. Standing - Mrs V Ryan, Mrs Freestone, Mrs Barber, Mrs Dower. Written on back - names of the seven ladies in the photo. Stamp on back - Copyright Not for Reproduction Herald Sun Photography. Grey lead inscription and sticker, location to be changed Folder 20 to Box 949 1125kangaroo flat, red cross, 1960s